President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday received some traditional rulers from Isoko communities in Delta State, who pleaded with government to extend amnesty programme to their area.
At a meeting with the president, they said the programme should be extended to the peaceful youths in Isoko and also to consider giving political appointments to the people.
They also asked the President to reward the Isoko community for being peaceful and protecting the nation’s oil and gas assets for over 15 years.
The President-General of the Isoko Development Union and spokesman for the traditional rulers, Iduh Amadhe, called on President Buhari to look into the spread of development projects in Niger Delta.
“With eight oil fields of flow stations in Isoko land, we appeal to His Excellency to direct NNPC to establish a gas plant and a modular refinery in Isoko land.
“It will be beneficial to the nation; it will create employment and generate revenue,’’ he said.
Amadhe claimed that Isoko community had been left out in Federal Government appointments.
Iduh Amadhe asked President Buhari to consider some anomalies in the spread of development projects in the Niger Delta.
Amadhe claimed that the Isoko community and its indigenes had been sidelined in Federal Government appointments, with the last appointment of a minister in 1975.
He noted that the region was also ignored as regards federal educational institutions, skill development centres and infrastructure.
“With eight oil fields of flow stations in Isoko land, we appeal to His Excellency to direct NNPC to establish a gas plant and a modular refinery in Isoko land. It will be beneficial to the nation and it will create employment and generate revenue,’’ he said.
In response, the president noted that the Isoko kingdom had qualified citizens who have distinguished themselves in various professional and entrepreneurial skills in the country.
He, therefore, promised to look into the matter.
“I will revisit your address and ask for clarification. I will do my best on this issue,” he said.
The area, he said, had also been ignored in the establishment of federal educational institutions, skill development centres, and infrastructure.
President Muhammadu Buhari said he would look into the constitutional 13 per cent derivation benefit to the Niger Delta region and ensure even spread of developmental projects across the region.
He assured the royal fathers that the constitutional provisions for Niger Delta development will be carefully studied for inclusiveness, especially in the prioritisation of Federal Government projects.
“I have listened attentively to your address and I will still update myself with details of development in your area as it relates to oil and gas, and lack of infrastructure.
“I will look at the constitutional 13 per cent derivation and what previous governments have done, in order to know what we can do,’’ President Buhari said.
The leader of the delegation is the Odiologbo of Oleh Kingdom and Chairman, Isoko Traditional Council, HRM Anthony William Ovrawah Omogha 1.
Others are the Odiologbo of Owhe, HRM Inna 1, HRM Ovie of Uzere, Isaac Udogri 1,Ovie of Aviara, HRM Emaviwe,Ovie of Okpe, HRM Agbabe, Ovie of Enhwe, HRM Efekodha and others.
