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Niger Delta Fund Initiative: Obasanjo warns Niger Delta to stop oil politics
http://www.dailyindependentng.com/dailyindependent/news/nnaug290310.htm
Daily Independent Online
Friday, August 29, 2003By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi
Daily Independent, AbujaPresident Olusegun Obasanjo has frowned at the politicisation of oil and its revenue in the Niger Delta region.
He made this known while playing host to a delegation of the Voice of Niger Delta Women who visited him at the State House yesterday.
This, he noted, was responsible for the incessant crises in the country, stressing that as long as the perpetrators of the heinous crime continued, the much-needed development of the nation’s economy would remain elusive.
The President explained the rationale for setting up the NDDC.
“ When we were trying to establish the NDDC, if it had worked the way I planned, it is to go to those countries that are donors, to give donations which I know they would have given us. But when the states concerned are not contributing, for what reason should I go to other countries and ask for donations?
“I believe that the three stakeholders must contribute to the fund that looks after the NDDC as a regional development organisation; that is the Federal Government, the state governments and oil companies. To the extent that the state governments cannot participate, to the extent they cannot determine what goes on. We have a saying in our part of the country that the medicine which does not cost you money, you do not pay much regard to it. We must all be contributors. If these three are not contributors, then we are undermining the effectiveness of NDDC," Obasanjo said.
Thereafter, the President warned that a situation where oil has become a source of conflict and the cause of incalculable harm to the lives and property of Nigerians through incessant clashes between communities in the country could no longer be accepted.
But he pledged, however, to develop the Niger Delta region so that the communities can have a sense of belonging by benefiting from the resources derived from the land, but warned that development cannot go on in an atmosphere of hostility.
Obasanjo called on the women to tame their violent children so that acts of vandalisation, hostage taking, bunkering and extortion against oil companies can be stopped to give way to peace and development.
Leader of the delegation, Mrs. Remi Kuku had earlier appealed to the Federal Government to exempt state governments from making mandatory contributions to the NDDC fund and to provide employment to Niger Delta youths as well as attract development projects to the region in the spirit of fairness.
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