CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA DESERVE NATIONAL AWARD OF GRAND COMMANDER OF THE NIGER (GCON) FOR RESTORING PEACE AND SAVING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS

CHIEF TIMIPRE SYLVA DESERVE NATIONAL AWARD OF GRAND COMMANDER OF THE NIGER (GCON) FOR RESTORING PEACE AND SAVING NIGERIA’S ECONOMY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS

Since the first discovery of crude oil and gas in the whole of West Africa in commercial quantity and quality at Oloibiri-Otabagi in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on the 15th January, 1956, the people of the Niger Delta region and Ijaws in particular have been shouldering the economic burden of the country.

Unfortunately, the people of the Niger Delta have not been treated fairly. The people have been totally sidelined from the scheme of things. They get only crumbs and peanuts, while their abundant natural resources are used to develop other regions.

It was the above ill-treatments that led to the armed militancy and unrest in the Niger Delta that almost grounded crude oil production in the country. This sad development resulted in the collapse of the nation’s economy during the President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua administration.

It is a known fact that everyone was afraid of the very hostile Militants. Most of the elders and leaders of the Niger Delta never wanted to have anything to do with the militants. It was indeed a very horrible period in the history of the country especially because of the untold hardship Nigerians were made to go through because of the crumbling economy.

It was only Governor TIMIPRE SYLVA of Bayelsa State that summoned extraordinary courage to confront the hydra-headed monster. Sylva left the comfort of the Creek Haven Government House and moved from one Militant Camp to the other to appeal to the agitators to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue.

There were cases Gov. Sylva even procured Prado Jeeps which he ferried through the Creeks to give to some of the agitators who demanded that those SUVs should be delivered to them in their villages.

Ironically, most Niger Delta elders and leaders including State Governors mocked Sylva when he endangered himself and was moving round those Camps.

But to the greatest surprise of the pessimists the efforts and immeasurable sacrifices of Sylva paid off and that led to the Proclamation of the Presidential Amnesty by President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. That effort helped in the restoration of peace and stabilization of the economy of the country.

As Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Chief Timipre Sylva facilitated the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) which couldn’t see the light of the day in previous administrations.

With the formal passage of the PIA the people of the oil producing communities and areas now have high sense of belonging as against the spectator role they were hitherto relegated to. The 3% Equity Provision will amount to a minimum of Five Hundred Million Dollars ($500,000,000.00) which shall be deducted from the Operational Costs of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Multinationals for Infrastructure and Human Capital Development of the oil producing communities.

Chief Timipre Sylva also facilitated the Award of the Surveillance Contract that will help to fight crude oil theft and bunkering that will help to save the Niger Delta environment and the dwindling economy of the country.

I can make bold to say without equivocation that no single Nigerian has made the kind of sacrifices Chief Timipre Sylva has made to restore peace in the Niger Delta and also save the economy of our great country.

It is based on the above that I humbly appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to confer on Chief Timipre Sylva the National Award of the Grand Commander of the Niger (GCON) which has been awarded to successive Vice Presidents and other prominent Nigerians. This gesture will spur Sylva and other patriotic Nigerians to continue to make sacrifices. It will also encourage the younger generations to emulate their patriotic zeal and spirits.

~~~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli aka Mirror and Conscience of Society

* Executive Director
Centre for Peace Advocacy and Social Rehabilitation (CPASR)

* National President
Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF)