Daily Independent Online.
*
Tuesday, August 24, 2004.
Ask 22 governors to withdraw suit,
monarchs tell Obasanjo
By Francis Onoiribholo
Special
Correspondent, Ughelli
Traditional Rulers of Oil and Gas Mineral Producing
Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) on Monday urged President Olusegun Obasanjo
to call to order the 22 governors who recently dragged the Federal Government
to court over the Onshore/Offshore Oil Dichotomy Abolition Act.
They said the governors’ action is capable of
threatening the country’s corporate existence.
Reading a 10-point communiqué at a news conference at
the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Effurun, Delta State, after an
emergency meeting of the national executive council of TROMPCON, the National
Chairman, Pere Charles Ayemi-Botu (JP) said “We have read with shock and
disbelief the recent law suit instituted by 22 governors against the government
with intent to void the Act abrogating the onshore/off-shore oil dichotomy.
They said this
conspiracy by the governors is to take the people for a ride. “We shall
collectively resist this. Their unguarded public utterances, attitudes and
actions betray a lack of readiness to embrace the time-tested system of civil
governance.
The
communiqué reads: “That we thank Mr. President for what he has
done so far for the people of the Niger Delta region, in the area of abolition
of the dichotomy between onshore/offshore production, setting up of the NDDC,
which we are proud of.
“That TROMPCON condemns the action of the governors in
instituting the law suit against the Federal Government on the Abolition
Act. Such action is capable of
threatening the corporate existence of the country.
“That the passage and the eventual signing into law of
the Abrogation Act by the President dragged on for a very long time; in spite
of the opposition mounted by the Northern state governors.
“That
TROMPCON has been working day and night to avert the likely violent reaction
that would have trailed this unpatriotic act.”
The rulers
therefore calls on their colleagues in the North to call and the South-West and
well meaning Nigerians to prevail on the governors to withdraw the suit if they
wish this country well.
The
communiqué also read “That TROMPCON will continue to assist the
Federal Government to ensure peace and harmony in our various domains but this
can only be achieved if government is predicated on justice, equity and fair
play.
“That TROMPCON accords respect to the nation’s
judiciary and its irrevocable dispensation of justice hence they cannot be
stampeded to take irrational decision that may be deemed to be inimical to the
well being of the people of Niger Delta Region.
“It is unfortunate that the 13 per cent Derivation
Fund which is regarded as pittance is being challenged by these people who do
not wish this country well at this point in time when the new agitation for further
increase to 50 per cent is being championed in order to confront headlong the
multi-facet problems of environmental pollution, ecological degradation,
pervasive poverty etc. that have over the years made lives unbearable and
unworthy of living.
“TROMPCON acknowledge that Mr. President had taken
some far-reaching measures to alleviate the plight of our people but a guided
tour of the Niger Delta region reveals that more needs to be done to give this
people some sense of belonging and collectively in the Nigerian
Federation.”
Some of those present at the news conference were, Odhebe
Odhiwu Udogi I (JP) Nation Deputy Chairman (Zone I); S.I. Alete, National
Deputy Chairman (Zone II); Young Ogbonna, National Deputy Chairman (Zone III), A.R. Ikegwuruka, National
Secretary.
