The Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson on Tuesday said the Niger Delta has contributed over N96 trillion to the nation's economy. The Governor stated this when he received the report of the Committee on Restructuring and other matters affecting the Ijaw nation in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa state capital. He called on the Federal Government to urgently kick-start the move toward restructuring the country before the 2019 general elections.
“With the support of the Peoples Democratic Party and other political parties, the federal government can push through, in the quickest time possible, before the next general election, the necessary bills that can bring about a restructured Nigeria.
He lamented that despite the huge revenue generated from the region, areas such as Brass, Forcados, Ogulagha and Bonny, where crude oil terminals are located, remain inaccessible by road.
“We have never lost faith in this country and the statistics that you have brought out shows it clearly, of all those stories of our sacrifices and commitment to Nigeria. You said LNG alone has generated over N11 billion in the last 10 years and you are working with their own figures.
“You said also that from oil revenues from our territory, Nigeria has earned over N96 trillion and you say this country makes over N52 billion daily and yet, in the midst of this sacrifice, even as we speak, there is no road to the terminals from which this money is made. No road to Brass, Forcados, Ogulagha and Bonny, that is the plight of our people and yet we continue to believe in Nigeria.”
“For us, as a people, 2019 elections would be a referendum. It’s going to be an election that will separate those who are for a restructured and equitable Nigeria and those who are opposed to it. Our people will be mobilised, at all levels, to stand by and support those who want an egalitarian Nigeria.
“Your report deals with a very important issue of how our people will survive within the context of a united Nigeria, how we can achieve a stable sustainable, progressive and prosperous Nigeria that is immune from most of the internal problems threatening to tear it apart.
“Unless we have a stable Nigeria, where everybody is happy, treated fairly and have space to manage their internal affairs and grow at their own pace, and yet, be in one stable big country, we can’t have a peaceful and sustainable Nigeria.
“Our country can only be stable when all parts of the country are stable…”
