Ex-Niger Delta warlords task Tinubu on Niger Delta economy

Some eminent ex-Niger Delta warlords in the country held a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday on how to arrest the current economic hardship in Nigeria, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

The meeting, which was a fallout of an earlier meeting held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, was held at the residence of Senior High Chief Bibopere Ajube at Agadagba-Obon, Arogbo, in Ese-Odo Local Government Area (LGA) of Ondo State.

Speaking to journalists after the closed-door meeting, Ebikabowei, alias Gen. Boyloaf, revealedthat the major discussion was basically on how to ameliorate the economic hardship on the people of the region.

Ebikabowei said they resolved at the meeting that the federal government should work on how to increase the gross domestic product (GDP) of the nation in all its exports.

According to him, the ex-Niger Delta warlords enjoined the Federal Government to ensure it meets up with the quota approved for it by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to be able to close the wide gap in the ratio of export to import.

He blamed politicians for sabotaging the economy, saying that the nation had no reason to suffer in the midst of the natural resources present in the country if they were adequately explored and managed.

Ebikabowei said that the participants, also known as eminent Niger Delta development crusaders, advised that it was time for various states of the federation to begin to control and manage their natural resources.

“We are gathered here today because of the economic situation of the country and the way forward. The issue of our economy is important to us.

"There's a need for the federal government to work on how to increase our gross domestic product (GDP).

“We have put heads together to ensure that things go smoothly. We are concerned, most importantly, about the Niger Delta region following the increase in oil output, irrespective of politicians’ moves to sabotage the economy.

“As you know that this region produces what feeds this country, we must make sure the nation gets it right by fixing the economy quickly before it gets out of hand.

“It’s clear that there is no way we can survive without an increase in our productions so that our exports will outshoot our imports.

“We want the Federal Government to share everything with states so that they will bear the responsibilities of whatever happens in their states,” he said.

Also speaking on the protection of pipelines in the region being carried out by the Tantita Security Service, he said that the venture was a business venture meant to protect the interests of people with a political undertone.

He said that the NNPCL knew where its production shortage was coming from, asking the organisation to look inward to address the high level of corruption in the oil sector.

On security, Ebikabowei blamed politicians, saying, “If the government is sincere about addressing it, it will contact stakeholders, and it will be solved.”