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.
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