N-Delta elders write NSA, want Ndiomu focus as Chair, FG's Panel on Oil Theft

*Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd)

(Nigeria) Elders and Stakeholders from the nine states of the Niger Delta region under aegis of Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta, MSDND, have expressed concern over the dwindling fortunes of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, due to the alleged divided attention of the Interim Administrator, Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd), following his appointment as the Chairman of an 11 man committee of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft in the region by the Presidency.

According to MSDND, despite the fact that the people of the region were elated that the Presidency found Ndiomu worthy of heading the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft, the daily operations of PAP, such as staff welfare, payments to thousands of PAP beneficiaries, tuition fees payment to thousands of beneficiaries, empowerment programmes, payment to legitimate contractors and a host of other issues bordering on our national security were being neglected due to Ndiomu’s divided attention.

 MSDND in the letter addressed to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno (retd), demanded that, “There is an urgent need to have Ndiomu, the substantive Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft in the Niger Delta to focus on his herculean tasks in the Federal Government’s fight against crude oil theft to ensure the smooth operations of his eleven - man committee” and the “urgent need for the appointment of an Interim Administrator for PAP to avoid the programme’s derailment from its mandates due to neglect of official duties and responsibilities, and lack of concentration emanating from the double-portfolio given to Ndiomu.

Convener of MSDND, Chief Ayebatekena Olodi and its Secretary-General, Chief Godwin Pere-Ebikabowei, said: “In-light of the unfolding, scary and scandalous revelations emanating from Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL,  to the effect that Nigeria loses a staggering sum of $1.9 billion to oil theft, this revelation is not only mind-boggling but calls for urgent and proactive measures by the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to stem this ugly tide before insolvency sets in.

“Sir, our nation should not be losing $1.9billion monthly to crude oil thieves. Therefore, given that our nation’s security and livelihood is at stake, we urgently call on you to use your good office to empower Ndiomu, substantive Chairman of the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft in the Niger Delta region to focus on his herculean tasks in our nation’s fight against crude oil theft to ensure the smooth operations of his eleven-man committee without any distractions from over 30,000 ex-militants, staff, and thousands of stakeholders from across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.

“Based on these facts, we the Movement for the Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta hereby submit this urgent petition to your office to beseech you into using your good office to recommend someone with proven track record from the Niger Delta region to President Muhammadu Buhari for appointment as the Interim Administrator of PAP because the affairs of the PAP are being neglected and the PAP is in dire need of a visionary leader.

“The appointment of Ndiomu to head the Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft in the Niger Delta region was greeted with fanfare without a cursory look into the challenges confronting the PAP. PAP was founded in 2009 with a clear mandate aimed at addressing militant activities in the Niger Delta region and to shore-up oil production level which was at 700,000 bpd when Nigeria as a nation almost went bankrupt.

“Today, the nation rakes in more petrol-dollar, no thanks to PAP. Presently, the 2022/2023 academic session have not witnessed any deployment of Amnesty beneficiaries and the door for admission into higher institutions of learning have been shut against prospective students. This seemingly unfortunate incident is traceable to the dual official responsibilities being handled by Ndiomu.

“Besides academic issues, there are several matters ranging from non-payment of monthly stipends arrears, programme restructuring, staff welfare, training and empowerment of ex-agitators that have been abandoned.

“Sir, the country at present cannot meet its OPEC quota of 1.99 barrel per day because of economic saboteurs and PAP at this critical time in history cannot be left fallow. The Amnesty Programme requires the knowledge and expertise of a very dispassionate individual, who can appreciate the journey so far. There is no gainsaying that the Amnesty Programme under the current leadership cannot record any meaningful achievement. Therefore, committing Ndiomu to the investigative assignment of deterring oil thieves will be a better option in the present circumstances.

“Finally, as the NSA, who supervises PAP, we beseech you to use your good office to recommend someone with a proven track record from the Niger Delta region to President Buhari for appointment as the Interim Administrator, PAP.”