By Cynthia Eruotor
Delta State Chapter of Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas( HOSTCOM )that interfaces between the Oil and Gas bearing Communities and DESOPADEC has told the Delta State Governor ,His Excellency, RT. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori that it would protest if he fails to respond after this 21 days notice to the plethora of problems it listed in its open letter to him.
In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Enujeke Ndidi Sunday, Chairman, Delta State HOSTCOM and others among whom are: Comrade Onyeka Ayangba(State Youth Leader),Mrs Liveth Eguare(State Woman Leader),Mr Goodwill Oruru(Itsekiri Ethnic Nationality Chairman), Mr Kingsley Ikire(Ijaw Nationality Chairman), Mr Andrew Agoyo(Urhobo Ethnic Nationality Chairman), Comrade Emmanuel Omokaro(Isoko Ethnic Nationality Chairman) and Chris Nwosu(Ndokwa Ethnic Nationality Chairman) and made available to newsmen said, the organization highlighted several critical issues confronting it, top of which, is lack of funding and Government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of HOSTCOM. According to the statement, it appeared that the organization is made to beg for what belongs to it from DESOPADEC that is established as an interventionist agency to serve HOSTCOM.
The statement said, the Delta State Government led by His Excellency, RT Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has been indifferent and unresponsive to the sufferings and demands of HOSTCOM which they have communicated severally to Governor adding, neither the challenges were attended to nor plausible explanation from the Governor’s office.
According to the statement, the 21 days protest notice emphasized the urgency for the Delta State Government to take immediate and decisive step to address the outstanding issues of neglect and reckless abandonment of a very strategic body such as HOSTCOM which is statutorily recognized to be funded by accruable funds that comes regularly through federal allocation as it is known by all in the public space.
In the statement, the protest notice has become imperative due to untold harshship HOSTCOM is passes through while the Delta State Government is overtly lukewarm and unperturbed over the sufferings, and yearnings of HOSTCOM which according to the group attributed to various nonchalant attitude of the Delta State Government and DESOPADEC that always complain of paucity of funds. According to the group,it can no longer tolerate the harsh and adverse effect of the neglect from the State Government over the 13 % derivation which rightly belongs to the Oil and Gas bearing communities of HOSTCOM.
According to the statement, it is an error to allow DESOPADEC to neglect HOSTCOM which is the primary purpose of the establishment of DESOPADEC, an idea which can be likened to a hired nanny who refuses to bathe the baby she is paid to nurse.
Part of the statement reads: “We can still recall vividly, when some disgruntled elements in the guise of laying unfounded allegations of mismanagement of the 13% derivation funds. These set of persons in the toga of “Oil Community Representative”, mobilized unscrupulous elements to protest on print and social media, but we resisted them, because they were fifth columnist used by politicians who wanted to derail the electoral process in 2023. HOSTCOM is non-political but we do support government that utilizes the funds meant for development, which is what we have been doing,also we criticize when the need arises.
“As we are waiting patiently for the State Government’s response to our germane demands,we would not be cowed using the rhetoric “paucity of fund”,a language, which HOSTCOM, shall vehemently resist. Delta State Chapter of HOSTCOM made up of all the leaders of the various ethnic nationalities and the youth leaders, cited section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association”,the statement added:” The protest aims to amplify the discontent and grievances of HOSTCOM over the years in the smooth running of the affairs of HOSTCOM in Delta State.
In summary, HOSTCOM outlined some major and specific demands from the Delta State Government which include but not limited to the following:
1:Immediate release of the five (5) buses and intervention by the Delta State Government,in ensuring the timely release of HOSTCOM yearly subversion allocation,which has accrued to several millions without any hiccups is fundamentally demanded.
2: Immediate attention should be given to the knotty issue of 13 % derivation accountability by the Governor, because it is the fundamental right of HOSTCOM to know how the disbursement is patterned.
3;The abandoned HOSTCOM ICT Training Centre should be financed and activated with immediate effect to strengthen and enhance capacity building amongst our youths.
4: Training/Capacity building and empowerment of our women / youths running into millions are yet to kickstart.
This is on a regular basis in designated field as agreed upon in earlier engagements should be upheld without further delays.
5 Since DESOPADEC as an interventionist agency of Government is DESOPADEC, managing 50% of the 13 %derivation fund , HOSTCOM should be Co-Managers of the fund as established by law.
6 ln a very transparent manner, there should be accountability by DESOPADEC to HOSTCOM . We strongly believe this is key to the take off of concrete developmental projects to be executed to specification.
7 Delta State Government should understand that the 13%derivation that is accruable to HOSTCOM, is not ademand , but a law for provisions to HOSTCOM on an annual basis.
The Delta State HOSTCOM reiterated its call on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to heed its cries and take swift action to remedy the situation. The organization stressed that if the Government fails to use the window of the 21 days notice, HOSTCOM will moblize all her structures in the state to carry out the planned protest which will be peaceful and in full compliance with constitutional provisions.
Part of the statement reads:” We call on the state government to act accordingly ,in order to “AVERT YOUTH/WOMEN RESTIVENESS” within the Oil Bearing communities.”It is worthy of note, that HOSTCOM with the large support base coming out with announcement of protest at this precarious time, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the HOSTCOM and the Delta State Government”.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these demands and whether any tangible changes will be made to address the pressing issues raised by HOSTCOM. Informed opinions in different circles agreed that in order not to make a mockery of the More Agenda of the State Government, it is more reasonable for the Delta State Government to yeiled to the call of the body to stem the tide of disagreement between the Government and the oil Producing Communities in Delta State. This indeed shall be the protest of protests should be allowed to begin. It is commonly said, a stitch in time saves nine.