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Dr. Legborsi Pyagbara, immediate past MOSOP President (right) presenting an award plague to Chief Nkpemenyie Mcdominic at the event.
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has expressed displeasure and concerns over the scrapping of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
MOSOP warned that the development may lead to youths’ unrest within the region.
Reacting on the development, President of MOSOP, Prof.,Olu Anda-Wai Egosu, while speaking in Lagos during the Ogoni Welfare Association (OWA) reception for MOSOP leaders , lamented that the development might drag the region backwards.
MOSOP, a social movement organization; representing the indigenous people of River State in the South-South region of Nigeria, stated that government failed to assess if the scraped ministry achieved the purpose of its establishment or not, pointing out that due diligence was not carried out before the announcement.
Recalled that the federal government scrapped the Niger Delta Ministry by replacing it with the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.
Egosu reiterated that government would have engaged critical stakeholders in the region before scrapping the ministry.
He explained that the disbandment of the ministry whilst it was yet to achieve its mandate was unnecessary.
On his part, Former President MOSOP, Dr. Legborsi Piagbara, said that there was supposed to be a time line for affirmative action.
He said affirmative action world over has time line adding that this may lead to the South-South not measuring up with the South-West.
He said the Ministry was supposed to have a clear mandate, thus has it achieved the mandate it was created?
Pyagbara queried the government to know if the disbanded ministry had achieved its mandates.
“I don’t know the time line for affirmative action on the establishment of the ministry. At what point did the government meet with the stakeholders to know how developed the region has been. Stopping it now if the purpose of the creation has not been achieved, then scrapping it is unnecessary. “The ex- MOSOP President reiterated.
OWA Chairman, Engr Migah Nwinmene expressed satisfaction over the planning process of hosting the MOSOP top brass.
Nwinmene stated that Ogoni course was paramount to the association, adding that plans were ongoing to develop the environment.
He noted that Ogoni tribe was marginalized in Rivers State politics, but added that with proper strategies by the indigenous people with like minds, there were indications that the table would turn around positively.
