A group known as the Niger Delta Congress, NDC, says the recent plans by the Federal Government to use recovered loot from the former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, to bankroll projects which have no bearing on the people of the state is disheartening.
The Congress in a statement by its acting spokesman, Adokiye Oyaghiri, said the decision to divert funds meant for the people of Delta State is not just similar to the initial theft of the funds from Delta State, and the ongoing theft of the natural resources of its people but also proof of the total contempt the Nigerian federation has for the people of the Niger Delta
“Niger Delta Congress is aware of and appreciates plans by the British Government to return £4.2 million stolen from Delta State and stashed in its banks to the Nigerian Government, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Nigerian Government.
Niger Delta Congress.
“The NDC is however disheartened by the recent plans made by the Nigerian government to use the recovered funds to bankroll projects such as the Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano highway, and the Lagos-Ibadan highway which have no bearing on the welfare of the people of Delta State.
“We find this decision to divert funds meant for the people of Delta State not just similar to the initial theft of the funds from Delta State, and the ongoing theft of the natural resources of our people but also proof of the total contempt the Nigerian federation has for the people of the Niger Delta.
“The Nigerian government has no moral justification to expend funds belonging to the people of Delta State on developmental projects in states that contributed nothing to the generation of those funds.
“We believe the people of Delta State should have the right of first refusal on how the returned funds should be expended, and not the federal government taking unilateral decisions regarding said funds.
“The Niger Delta Congress rejects this plan and its supporters completely and calls on the British Government to refrain from returning the recovered funds to the Nigerian government until a Memorandum of Understanding that will tie the funds to infrastructural projects in Delta State to benefit Delta people is signed with the Delta State government.
“The NDC is also calling on all well-meaning individuals in the Niger Delta to rise up against this injustice before it reaches other parts of the Niger Delta. A stitch in time saves nine”.
