From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Obama Clan, has commended the Amanyanabo of Bakana, His Royal Majesty King Lawrence Odum Barboy, Paramount Ruler of Elem Kalabari in Degema Local Government Area, Alhaji Mujahid Asari Dokubo, for the Peace pact initiative between the PIA OML 18 Board and MOSIEND’s leadership over issues raised by the Obama (Bakana) Clan against the Board.
Recall, that the leadership of MOSIEND, Bakana Clan chapter, recently in a statement issued a 14-day ultimatum to the NNPC 18 operators of the Cawthorne Channel area, over allege secrecy operations among others.
MOSIEND, in a statement on Sunday signed and issued by its Chairman, Bakana Clan, Comrade Blessing Braide, and Chairman, Council of Elders Bakana Clan, Rev Cannon Igoaso V Omuaru, also accused NNPC 18 of alleged divide and rule tactics, high-handedness, and complete disregard for community welfare.
The Group lamented the failure of the company’s management to honour its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations and Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) commitments, but instead, it has chosen to manipulate processes, exploit divisions, and neglect its host communities.
Meanwhile, MOSIEND, noted that the meeting availed them the opportunity to bring to the fore other issues that has opened other channels of communication by the Board.
The statement reads:”We note that this has brought about a level of understanding and progress in addressing the demands made to NNPC Ltd.9
“We reiterated our six-point demands to NNPC Ltd, which included Comprehensive investigation into NNPC 18’s operations in Cawthorne Channel, Transparency in deliverables, including publication of developmental initiatives, Payment of outstanding entitlements, including PIA provisions, Local employment opportunities for qualified graduates and skilled youths, Indigenous contract awards to credible companies, and fair worker remuneration, particularly in the DAA 3 clusters.
“We thank the Amanyanabo of Torusarapiri, His Royal Highness King Asari Dokubo, for sending emissaries to the peace meeting, demonstrating his commitment to peace and development in our community.
“We also appreciate the Security Agency for their mediative efforts and the Chairman of Bakana Community Development Committee, Dr. Akidi, for his contributions.
“We commend the media for their timely reportage and role as society watchdogs and also in addition we commend King Asari Dokubo’s private security outfit for their fantastic security performance in complementing the statutory Security Agency in maintaining law and order and safety of lives and property within the Cawthorne Channel/New Calabar River.
“We commend the Executives of Board for their corporation and willingness to demonstrate accountability and an open-door policy going forward.
We urge NNPCL to take them seriously and work together to create a more development driven environment for their operations.
“We urge all Bakana sons and daughters to avoid violence in their engagements as representatives of the community in various capacities, and to be transparent and accountable to the community. We cannot afford to have business as usual while poverty ravages our community, driving our younger ones to desperation.
“We hope that NNPC Ltd will expeditiously address our demands and work towards the development of our community. We believe that dialogue and diplomacy are key to resolving our grievances and ensuring a brighter future for Bakana and the Ijaw Nation.”
