Group Commends BNC For Standing Against Edo South Marginalization

Group Commends BNC For Standing Against Edo South Marginalization

By Kabir Akintayo

Talakawa’s Parliament has commended the President and Secretary of the Benin National Congress (BNC), Comrade Aiyamenkhue Edokpolo and Comrade Maxwell Uwagboe for their courage in speaking out against the alleged marginalization of Edo South Senatorial District.

In a press release dated February 1, 2024, signed by Acting Secretary of the group, Comrade Osas Agbonamwanre, strongly condemns the marginalization, emphasizing the underdevelopment of Orhionmwon, Ikpoba Okha, and Ovia North North East Local Government Areas in Edo State despite abundant natural resources.

The group further accused the Minister of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr. Abubakar Momoh, of influencing the allocation of five major projects in the 2024 budget exclusively to Edo North, his home district, neglecting the oil-producing communities in Edo South, particularly the Oil and Gas production basin of the Niger Delta.

The organization calls attention to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs’ mission to ensure even and sustainable development in the region and criticizes the Minister for allegedly favoring his non-oil producing community.

“We want to draw the attention of the Minister that the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was established with the primary mission of facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

“This can only be achieved by equitable allocation of projects and appointments in favor of oil producing Local Governments and host communities.

“The issue here is whether the Minister’s senatorial district community is an oil producing community that deserves the project? And the answer is a thunderous NO,” the group said.

The organization also warned marauders to desist from impersonating the executives of the Benin United Forum (BUF), a group that promotes, projects and defend the interests of the marginalized Host Communities of Edo South Senatorial District.