Politics
EX-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has advised President Muhammadu Buhari to fund development projects in the Niger Delta with funds used for deployment of military houseboats, gunships and fighter jets.
Tompolo, who made this known in a statement, signed by his Media Aide, Mr. Paul Bebenimibo, advised President Buhari to fund proposed and ongoing numerous development projects in the Niger Delta region.
He stressed that the coastal areas are very difficult terrain that no normal human being will love to stay with the present condition and should be is developed with money used to deploy military men and wares as well as carry out military exercises such as ‘Operation Crocodile Smile’ and ‘Octopus Grip’ by the Army and Navy respectively.
He opined that continuous military deployment to the region will not solve the problem of the age-long criminal neglect of the region by government.
“It must be pointed out that mere acknowledgement of the fast deteriorating condition of the Niger Delta region by government is not enough to solve the problems there. Rather, the Federal Government needs to put up a strong political will to address the issue of lack of development in the region,” he added.
According to the statement, “At the last count, there where over 20 military houseboats in the creeks of Gbaramatu kingdom alone. So much is provided by the government in taking care of the military men and wares in that region without achieving the purpose they are being drafted to the area as the agitation for development of the region continues on daily basis.
“Government cannot continue to harass and intimidate the people of the region with military might. What the region needs is simply development. And that is what the previous administration meant when it established the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko.
The previous government also approved the electrification of Escravos and environs, which has gone halfway, only to be discontinued by the present administration.
“The EPZ Gas City and Deep Seaport projects, well thought out by the previous administration to significantly address the issues of unemployment in Nigeria has been abandoned also. This is not fair.
“The huge sum of money used to deploy military houseboats, gunships and fighter jets is enough to fund the Nigerian Maritime University and other development projects in the region that will give a sense of relief and belonging to the people as part of the Nigerian project.”
He tasked the government to change the paradigm of military deployment to paradigm of development and see that relative peace will certainly be attained.
– Nov 9, 2017 @ 17:32 GMT |
Tags: Ekpemupolo Focus On Niger Delta Development Not Deployment of Gunboats Jets – Tompolo Tells FG President Muhammadu Buhari
