Urhobo nation alleges marginalization, seeks lawmakers support  in correcting the imbalance

Presenting the grievances of the Urhobo people to the Deputy Speaker of the Delta House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Arthur Akpowovwo and other members of the Assembly from Urhobo Ethnic Nationality, Ominimini stated that the plight of Urhobo people were neglected in the execution of projects by interventionist agencies, despite their position as major stakeholders in the production of oil and gas in the country..

Some of such interventionist agencies as the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) as well as Ministry of Niger Delta

Ominimini asserted that Urhobo sons and daughters were largely neglected in the recruitment of staff in most agencies and multi nationals that operate within the Niger Delta region.

According to him, there is a need to revisit the sharing formula in DESOPADEC as well as revamping moribund industries existing within the Urhobo territory, which are capable of creating job opportunities.

“We the Urhobo people of Nigeria have contributed a lot and are still contributing to the overall growth of Nigeria, but have received too little in return in spite of our enormous contribution.

“A careful look at the cause of these marginalization and deprivation has shown that the cause is due to the fact that in Nigeria, people do not get what they deserve but what they bargain for.

“In this regard, we have decided as Urhobo sons and daughters to cry out against these injustices in Nigeria against the Urhobo ethnic nationality of Delta State,’’ he said.

He disclosed that the group had gone to the National Assembly to make a presentation to the Senators and members of the House of Representatives.

”We have also decided to engage you today with some of our domestic pains and also suggest to you as our representatives at the state level of how we think you can also go about bringing succor and solutions to the problems, he added.

Ominimini also lamented that Urhobo sons and daughters, who work in DESOPADEC, have been subjected to untold hardship for no sins of theirs.

He disclosed that salaries and wages were charged to ethnic votes, while other top charges such as security votes and administrative expenses etc were charged otherwise.

“This is unfair to the Urhobo Nation and that salary and wages should be treated as first line charges like the administrative and security votes,” he said, adding that   “their co-staffers are being promoted, they remain in the same position.

“This is another cheating against the Urhobo people in DESOPADEC. We strongly appeal to you to ensure that the state government takes a step to ascertain the production quantum of oil and gas of each of the Ethnic Nationalities in Delta state.’:

According to him, Urhobo remains the highest producer of oil and gas in Delta and that “the sharing formula being used in DESOPADEC for the various Ethnic Nationalities is a cooked one. It is not real, it does not represent the factual record of production and it must be stopped”.

Ominimini also said that Nigeria had awarded a contract for metering 187 flow stations in the oil and gas sector and that Urhobo has over 10 of such flow stations, which it does not share with other ethnic nationalities.

“Our contribution to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is very massive yet we are being relegated to the background. This is unacceptable,” he said.

On the exclusion of Urhobos in the NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta, he lamented that the Commission is structured to deliver dividends to the various areas of the state based on the quantum of production, “but when others occupy the management seats of the Commission, we the Urhobos benefit so little to the extent of near no recognition”.

“This is the same way the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta is treating the Urhobo Nation. The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta has three skills acquisition centres in Delta North Senatorial District at Kwale, Agbor and Ibusa.

“Also it has three skills acquisition centres in Delta South Senatorial District at Tuomor, Abigborodo and Ogheye, but decided not to even give any to Delta Central,” he said.

He therefore called on the members of the State Assembly to join the group in the fight against the injustice on the Urhobos.

Ominimini recalled that in the 2024 budget, nearly all the projects of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta are domiciled in Edo North and wondered if Urhobo is not part of Niger Delta.

“Where is our Project? We are being cheated from all corners. We must rise up against this.” he said.

“We humbly seek your support for part of the 13 per cent derivation fund to be used for the revitalization of the ailing AT&P factory at Sapele and Bendel Glass Factory at Ughelli,”he said.

He added that the revamping of these two industries would help to boost the economy of the state as well as help to put food on the table of the people of the state.

”If Late Chief Dennis Osadebe could establish three factories, Midwest Glass, Ughelli; Midwest Cement factory, Ukpela and the Asaba Textile Mill with low Midwest income, within the short period of him being in office, we believe, these two industries of AT&P and Bendel Glass can be revamped in the midst of the present humongous Delta state 13 percent derivation,” he said.

Responding, the Deputy Speaker assured the group that the lawmakers from Urhobo ethnic nationality would continue to give quality representation in the State House of Assembly.

Akpowovwo alongside other Urhobo Lawmakers in the State House of Assembly including, Honourables Benson Obire, Spencer Owhofa, Blessing Achoja, who received the delegation of members of the Urhobo Oil and Gas Nationality, (UROGAN) explained that as Lawmakers from Urhobo ethnic nationality, their responsibility is to represent the Urhobos and their interest for the overall good of the Delta State.

The deputy Speaker, who noted that the Urhobos no doubt contribute to the economic wellbeing of Delta State and Nigeria at large, assured the group that as lawmakers, they would look into the issues raised with a view to addressing their concerns.

The Lawmaker, who represents Ethiope East Constituency, commended the group for their initiative in speaking with one voice as Urhobos.

The highpoints of the visit was the presentation of a working document to the Deputy Speaker and other Urhobo Lawmakers.