End of Year Press Release by the Nat’l leader of the Niger Delta Advocacy Group(New Era Movement), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe on the 28th Dec 2024.

End of Year Press Release by the Nat’l leader of the Niger Delta Advocacy Group(New Era Movement), Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe on the 28th Dec 2024.

Gentlemen of the Press!

As the year draws to conclusion, the Niger Delta Advocacy Group which is committed to the actualization of peace and the development of the Niger Delta region wishes to address the nations polity under the year in review, assess key performance index of institutions of government, especially those directly related to the Niger Delta region and make recommendations for improvement in the new year where necessary.

2024 Under President Tinubu

Let me begin by saying that 2024 has been the most challenging year for Nigerians in the fourth republic, and on behalf of the New Era Advocacy Movement, I commend the resilience and steadfastness of Nigerians for weathering the storm in this austerity time of our nation’s history. Together, I’m confident that we shall pursue the new year with greater vigor.

Economy:

While as Nigerians we shall continue to remain patient and show tolerance to the Tinubu’s administration, the fact still remains that the Nigerian people have not started feeling the positive impact of the economic policies and reforms introduced by his government. The cost of living occasioned by the fuel subsidy removal remains unbearable and the pain excruciating. Sadly, the dollar parity which has depleted the value of the naira drastically remains unresolved. We do hope that in the new year, the naira will be stable and stronger.

Security:

The security situation in the country continues to remain worrisome. Though recent progress made by the security agencies and the renewed commitment of the president to fighting insecurity is commendable. But it’s not yet uhuru. Attacks by Islamist groups, counter-insurgency operations, criminal and cult-related violence, separatist movements, and clashes between farmers and herders are still of great concern as they continue to threaten national security, peace and stability of the country.

Tax Reform Bills before the Nat’l Assembly

The Niger Delta Advocacy Group is following up keenly the debates resulting to the tax reform bills submitted to the National Assembly by the Executive Arm of the federation. While we recognize the concerns of some leaders in some sections of the country over the timing of the bill, we believe that a more robust consultation and detail explanation is needed to alley the fears and concerns of such people. However, a review of the tax laws of the country is long overdue. The era of robbing Peter to pay Paul is over. Taxes should be paid to states where products are consumed and not to states where the headquarters of those companies are situated. Suffix to say that if we are committed to a restructured federal system of government, a robust tax reform law is the gateway to its actualization.

2025 Appropriation Bill

Inline with the constitutional mandate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, presented the 2025 Budget of Restoration, titled “Securing Peace, Rebuilding Prosperity,” to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.

The New Era Advocacy Movement as a critical stakeholder in the Nigeria project considers the budget estimate of N49. 7 trillion as too ambitious and wonder if it’s implementation will be realistic.

While we commend the president for prioritizing Defence and Security, Infrastructure, Health and Education, we expected Agriculture, Mines and Mineral Resources and Tourism to be on the priority list. Mr President’s goal for Nigeria to attain self sufficiency in food security should not just be a rhetorical statement, but that which is backed with practical actions going forward.

As we await the president to sign the appropriation bill into law after its passage by the National Assembly, we call for an upward review of the proposed budget estimate for agriculture, mining and tourism. We believe that for the economy to be diversified, deliberate efforts must be made to invest in the none oil sectors of our national economy.

Christmas Charity Stampedes

The NDAG-New Era Movement extends our commiserations to the families of loved ones who lost their lives during a Christmas charity stampede in some parts of the country which claimed over 67 innocent lives, mostly women and children.

We urge those involved in organising distribution of palliatives to take into consideration the security and venue for such exercises to avoid chaos that will lead to stampedes.

We call on security agencies to investigate the incidents in Oyo, Abuja and Anambra in an apolitical manner and bring those culpable to book as this is a national embarrassment to the country.

Niger Delta Region:

The Niger Delta region is relatively the most peaceful region in the entire country. This is possible because of the concerted efforts put in my stakeholder’s to ensure that peace and stability is sustained for development to take place.

However, it will be a disservice on our part if we don’t appraise and appreciate the efforts of federal government intervention agencies who are doing a great job in the region.

Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

Despite the challenges and pressures that is associated with leading a complex organization like the NDDC, we must say by our unbiased assessment that President Bola Tinubu has gotten it right by appointing a youthful, energetic and astute administrator who understands the dynamics of the region as MD/CEO of the NDDC.

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s leadership has brought a breath of fresh air in the region and NDDC for the first time after years of protracted legitimate leadership crisis is now on the right trajectory.

Majority of stakeholders are very comfortable and pleased with Dr. Ogbuku’s approach to issues and the development he is attracting to our rural communities, especially the operation light up the Niger delta initiative which is so dear to our people, amongst many other interventions that is visible to the eyes that NDDC under his leadership has embarked on.

However, this achievements is excluding the institutional reforms that was carried out under his watch that is yielding positive results. Today, NDDC is more organized and stable. It’s reputation and dignity restored and has become more attractive for people to do businesses with.

We therefore seize this opportunity to pass a vote of confidence on Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s led NDDC for its outstanding performance and reiterate our commitment and solidarity to his administration’s quest to ensuring that the renewed hope agenda of president Bola Tinubu is felt in all the nooks and crannies of the Niger delta region.

We equally call on those trying to destabilize the gains of the peace and development recorded in NDDC under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku to have a rethink and join hands with him to build a better region.

Presidential Amnesty Program (PAP)

The presidential amnesty program was an initiative well thought by the administration of late president Umaru Musa Yara’dua to give peace a chance in the Niger Delta region for actual development to take place.

While it’s important to note that successive administrations have grabbled with a lot of issues bedeviling the smooth running of the PAP, Dr Denis Otuaro seems to enjoy tremendous good will from the beneficiaries of the program and stakeholders in the region. Well, we are not surprised as the PAP Administrator is a known face and a prominent figure in the Niger delta pre-Amnesty struggle.

We commend his commitment and resolve to revitalize the foreign and domestic scholarship program which had not seen the light of day for a period.

His periodic engagements with stakeholders of the region to consolidate the existing peace in the Niger delta is a testament to his exemplary leadership acumen. We therefore reiterate our resolve to support his administration to succeed.

We call on those involved in blackmails and perpetual “Bring-Him-Down” campaign to desist from such acts and give Dr. Denis Otuaro the opportunity to deliver the mandate giving to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Tantita Security Ltd and its Contributions to Nigeria’s Oil Output:

Tantita security limited has played a pivotal role in the fight against crude oil theft in the Niger Delta region. It’s operations has significantly increased the daily crude oil production capacity of Nigeria. This feet has brought the company so much admiration and tremendous good will from industry players, stakeholders and the Nigeria people.

However, it’s obvious that some bad eggs in the security agencies in collaboration with some big oil thieves are not comfortable with the operations of the company. They are doing everything, including sponsoring a smear campaign against the Chairman of the company, High Chief Oweizide Government Ekpemupolo, Alias Tompolo and Tantita Security Ltd of complicity in their operations.

While everyone is entitled to free speech, it’s unacceptable for our own people to be used to fight a proxy war in favor of the oil cabals.

We call on our brothers involved to desist from such acts and give room for dialogue and constructive engagement if they’ve any genuine concern or grievances.

BRACED STATES:

The BRACED states of Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwai-Ibom, Cross-rivers, Edo and Delta State is very strategic to peace and the economic prosperity of the Niger delta region.

I call on the BRACED governors to work hand in-glove to ensuring the full implementation of the BRACED COMMISSION resolutions, which therefore revolve around building a strong regional economy that has the potential to create employment and wealth for the people of the region, improve agriculture, education, environment, power, security and utilisation of sports to empower youths of the region.

We commend and appreciate the BRACED governors for the security and peace the region has enjoyed in their various states, but insist that they should foster regional cooperation, economic integration, improve the business climate and attract investors with a view to achieving sustainable development for the collective benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region which is currently lacking.

CONCLUSION:

In conclusion, Nigerians, and more especially the people of the Niger delta region should have faith in the country despite the economic challenges of the moment. We believe strongly that things will get better, but that can only be possible if we get involved deeply in the democratic process. We should not just fold our arms and watch as things continue to decline and expect miracle to happen.

As the 2025 approaches, let’s start a national conversation that will reengineer this country and set it on the part of irreversible progress. If other countries within the sub region can get it right, then I believe we can do it too.

Thank you and God bless you all.

Yours in the struggle

Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe
National leader,
Niger Delta Advocacy Group
(New Era Movement)