*Says They Can’t Be Appendage To Another Ethnic Group In Niger Delta
The Urhobo Communities Natural Resources Protector Council (UCNRPC), has appealed to the President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to give Urhobo ethnic nationality it’s own share of the Pipeline Surveillance Contract, as they can’t be appendage to another ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement signed by Acting National President of Urhobo Communities Natural Resources Protector Council, Olorogun Saturday Mofoye, said there was no way one man can handle a pipeline security contract that involved all ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region.
UCNRPC alleged that the ongoing over $1.3 billion (N1 trillion) contract, including the late Capt. Hosa’s contracts was divided into the eastern corridor, central corridor, and western corridor.
“They awarded the Western and Central corridors to two prominent individuals in Gbaramatu kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area and the other to a traditional ruler of Itsekiri extract, leaving Urhobo at their mercy.
“The Urhobos have been deprived of their share from the hundreds of millions of dollars in pipeline surveillance contract, which would have created thousands of jobs and increased revenues from taxation, hotel accommodation, transportation, food purchasing power of the people.
“The reverse is now the case, as Urhobo now top the chart of the highest number of graduates and employable youths as Okada riders and tricycle drivers in Delta and the entire Niger Delta region.
“We humbly call on Mr. President to decentralise the award of all pipeline surveillance and maintenance contracts across the different ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region to reputable personalities, as we will no longer tolerate injustice being meted on us.
“Urhobo will not be appendage to another ethnic nationality in the Niger Delta region because we have capable hands that can handle pipeline surveillance contracts”, it added.
