COVID 19: GROUP ( PDSHRAND) HAILS PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR PROMPT RELEASE OF FUNDS TO TACKLE THE PANDEMIC

COVID 19: GROUP ( PDSHRAND) HAILS  PRESIDENT BUHARI FOR PROMPT RELEASE OF FUNDS TO TACKLE THE PANDEMIC 

By Wilson Macaulay 

The peace, Development, Security and Humanitarian Rights Association of Niger Deltans  under the leadership of Comrade Mike Tiemo which sent an "Open Letter of Save Our Souls " to call on His Excellency,  President  Muhammadu Buhari  to give financial support to the nine States of the  Niger Delta  in respect of the Covid 19 pandemic   has hailed  President Muhammadu Buhari   for graciously using the signals of his Executive Fiat to  approve  and to   direct the release of N500 billion naira with immediate effect  to combat the scourge of  Covid 19  Pandemic in Nigeria. 

 Comrade Mike Tiemo the  Group president stressed in his statement  that the funds should be directly handed over  to the State Governors  like Mr president  did in the first instance  in the case of Lagos State  which proved to be a perfect idea because the Governors are closer to their people.

While giving reasons why a special concession should be given to his  people  in the distrubution of the presidential largese  , Comrade Mike Tiemo the Group President  however, also called on President Buhari  based on the strategic terrain of the region to consider the Niger Delta States by giving  the  Governors of the  area at least 15 billion naira each from the proposed N 500 billion to  enable them expedite action in the purchase and acquisition of  all the relevant  items needed  such as Preventive Equipment, Relied Materials and other Health Care Facilities.

Comrade Mike Tiemo Who Spoke at the Conference Centre of the Petroleum Institute PTI Effurun Delta State  during the media interactive session  stressed  that the Group as the Mouth piece of the Niger Delta people  is highly optimistic that this special  appeal will not be swept under the carpet but should be treated with the seriousness it deserve. 

 The Group president affirmed    in his speech  that the Peace Development Security and Humanitarian Right Assoiciation of the Niger Deltans can confidently reassure Mr President that the they  have implicit confidence in  the Niger Delta Governors that if the fund is given to them they will  judiciously  approppiate it in the war against Covid 19   becaue the Governors  have already  demonstrated capacity and willingness before the Niger Delta People that if the fund is released to them they will do the need full for the benefit of the region in particular  and Nigeria at large to the  glory of God Almighty .

The Group Executive while craving  the indulgence of President Muhammadu Buhari  not to look  at the issue with  political binoculars,  maintained in his affirmation that  it will be a remarkable note of honour for a  modest demand such as this to be granted for  the region  which bakes  the national cake to fight  this disaster of global magnitude code- named Covid- 19.

Comrade Tiemo who tasked Government on the need for fiscal palliativee   strongly suggested  that the Relief Materials should come with some stipends at least twenty five thousand naira to each inhabitant of the Niger Delta  through  the State Governors   to cushion the negative effect of the lockdown since our people are predominantly artisans without salaries to lean on.

While lamenting the lackadaisical attitude of the Corporate tenants in the region, Comrade Tiemo urged  the Multinational Oil Companies Operating in the Niger Delta to as a matter of "National Urgency"  to come out  in full force without playing the ostrich or to the gallery to support the Niger Delta Governors and the inhabitants of the region at this critical period to show their milk of human kindness.

Comrade Lucky Ovigue Ohwahwa the Group Secretary, Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsamone the PRO and Mr Patrick Okpomu the National Mobilisation Officer l  who spoke separately to our correspondent in their own contributions corroborated the earlier  view of  Comrade Mike Tiemo that they expects  President Buhari  to listen to what they described as a  modest and germane demand for their people at this trying moment.

According to them , it is a common knowledge   that the peculiar terrain of the region actually deserve extra attention to be able to meet the challenging demands of the people   due to a  hand full of human factors especially Oil exploration and exploitation before the out burst of Covid 19. 

The Humanitarian Rights Group Executive seized the opportunity to advise military personnel on duty to demonstrate friendly professional measures in line with the rules of engagement so that we can avert  more tension and chaos  in the region.

 Comrade Lucky  Ovigue Ohwahwa the Group Secretary, Comrade Durojaiye Ogunsamone, the PRO and Mr Patrick Okpomu National Mobilising Officer l in their  statements  emphasised that  since life is sacrosanct  no one have the immunity to tamper with another man's life adding that  there is also the need for our  fellow Niger Deltans to comply with the Government restrictions order to enable Nigeria achieve her goal of flushing out Covid 19 within the shortest possible time.