By David Lawani, Abuja
Criticisms have trailed the concentration of the proposed projects from the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in Edo State in the northern senatorial district alone.
The ministry had proposed a budget of N346.12bn for 2024, with the recurrent expenditure taking a chunk of N328.05bn, while capital expenditure was put at N18.07bn.
It has a total of 212 capital projects, out of which 109 are new and 103 ongoing.
In the list of the top five projects slated to be executed in Edo State, the construction of the 45-kilometre Okpella-North Ibie-Agenebode Road Phase 1 in the Edo Northern Senatorial District will gulp N1.50 billion.
Other projects in the senatorial district include the design and construction of Ekperi-Osomegbe Road, at the cost of N545 million; the construction of Ihievhe-Ogbe Road (N500m), and the construction of Iyukun-Atte Road (N500m), all in the same senatorial district.
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Dr. Abubakar Momoh, is from the Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA) in the Edo North Senatorial District of the state.
However, reacting to the development, a reliable source said the minister has noted that he has not made any mistake, claiming that he did it because all the previous ministers who headed the ministry started projects from their immediate constituencies.
The source also said that the minister maintained that the likes of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, when he was the minister, also did the same.
According to the source, “I called the Minister, Dr Abubakar Momoh, and he confirmed that he sited those projects in Etsako, in Edo North, because he needed to start from his immediate community.
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“He told me he did that because all other previous ministers who have headed the ministry, including the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, started projects from their communities after he was appointed the minister.
He also quoted the minister to have said, “I have not done anything that other ministers of the ministry have not done. So, by the next budget window, other areas will be considered,” the source stated.
But a lawyer-cum-pastor, Paul Omoluabi, who is also a citizen of Edo State, urged the minister to show magnanimity, even in the distribution of these projects.
According to him, “It is with great concern and respect that this passionate appeal is placed on record.
“We urge you to reconsider amending the proposed projects in the spirit of fairness, equity, justice, and inclusivity.
“A careful perusal of the Federal Government’s proposed 2024 budget under the esteemed Ministry of Niger Delta needs urgent amendment to reflect the fair distribution of the proposed projects within Edo North.
“It is our passionate concern that the Akoko Edo LGA be given a fair share of the projects.”
He added, “A major project that requires urgent attention is the Ibillo-Igarra-Auchi Road.
“This is a major road that if it is properly fixed, the entire community in Edo North will be relieved of several setbacks, and the impact on internally generated revenue will be massive.
“There are several other dilapidated government projects like schools, hospitals, and clinics in Akoko Edo LGA that need urgent attention.”
However, efforts to get across to the minister’s aide for a reaction proved abortive as their lines were either not reachable or non-available.
The Benin National Congress, BNC, however, has condemned, in strong terms, the attempt by the Edo North Senatorial District to corner all the Federal Government’s juicy appointments, including projects to itself, excluding all other senatorial districts in the state.
However, ThisNigeria, in its investigative search, obtained a letter the BNC wrote to the Oba of Benin, His Royal Majesty, Omo N’ Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare 11, dated 28th December 2023, highlighting the numerous appointments/projects that were allocated to it while sidelining other beneficial communities in the Niger Delta region.
The letter, which was entitled: ‘Selection For Political Offices Appointments And Allocation Of Projects/Amenities – The Case Of Edo South, among others, said, “We join all Edo sons and daughters worldwide to celebrate and congratulate HRM for the successful re-introduction of Emoro Festival and the on-going Ugie-Emobo, Igue and Ugie-Ewere Annual Festivals. Oba Ghat’Okpere, I see, to sign-post and strengthen the Edo-Benin Kingdom Culture and Traditions. Edorisiagbon, Edorisiuwa.
“We noticed a disturbing trend related to the above subject, and humbly bring this to the highly esteemed attention of Your Royal Majesty, Our Royal Father.
“The Edo North Senatorial District has six LGAs and constitutes roughly 25 per cent of the population. Yet:
“The newly re-appointed National Population Commission (NPC) Commissioner from Edo State by President Tinubu – 8th November 2023 is Dr. Tony Aiyejina (Edo North).
“The newly-appointed INEC REC from Edo State by President Tinubu – 23rd October 2023 – is Mr. Isah Shoka Ehimeakne (Edo North).
“Edo North (25 per cent population of Edo State) currently holds the following political positions of governance in any order:
“Majority Leader, Federal House of Reps. Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly. Deputy Governor, Edo State. Minister of Niger-Delta Ministry.”
The letter further stated, “Your Royal Majesty, also finds below the distribution of projects as proposed in the 2024 Federal Government budget from the Ministry of Niger Delta.
“Edo State is Niger Delta because of the local governments of Edo South that are mainly the oil and gas producing areas.”
Also reacting to the development, a Benin-based human rights activist, Osazee Edigin, called out Edo South lawmakers in the National Assembly to be alive to their responsibilities.
He protested against the alleged neglect of the oil communities and the allocation of the projects to areas that do not produce oil in the state.
On a Facebook page on December 30, 2023, the leftist Edigin asked, “Where are the representatives from Edo South in the National Assembly?
“How can all capital projects be sited in Edo North and none in oil-producing communities in Edo South?
“The budget went through the national houses of assembly where Edo South representatives are presently collecting salaries and all manner of allowances.”
