Yesterday, civil society groups operating under the banner of the Civil Society Coalition for Mandate Protection (CSC-MAP) organized a rally near Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos. The purpose of the rally was to express solidarity with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms as he approaches his first anniversary in office next month. Representatives from indigenous communities in oil-producing areas of Lagos, Ondo, and Delta States participated in the event. Leaders of these groups emphasized that their presence on the streets was not to destabilize or subvert the government but to endorse the reforms of the Tinubu administration, which they believe are geared towards the welfare and development of their region.
Speakers at the rally included Deputy Coordinator Michael Ajayi, Assistant Secretary Ajayi Lateef, as well as other members such as Abubakar Salami and Uzor Jideofor. They urged Nigerians to exercise patience with the administration to reap the benefits of the government’s endeavors.
However, the CSC-MAP expressed concern about the state of affairs in the oil-producing communities, particularly in light of the recent heinous killings of 17 soldiers within their jurisdiction. This development, according to the coalition, underscores the presence of dangerous elements armed with lethal weapons in the Niger Delta.
The current dissatisfaction in the Niger Delta is viewed as a troubling sign that could escalate into a significant crisis if not addressed promptly. In a statement, the CSC-MAP, comprising 55 civil society groups, community-based organizations, and faith-based groups, advised the Federal Government to initiate a new amnesty program aimed at encouraging armed groups in the region to surrender their weapons.
The statement highlighted that the CSC-MAP has received numerous complaints from various oil-producing communities regarding their exclusion from the Federal Government’s oil pipeline protection contracts, particularly concerning oil facilities situated within their territories.
The statement expresses: “We are rooting for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s success. We’re adamant about avoiding anything that might trigger another wave of turmoil in the oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta. It’s imperative that the NNPC refrains from assigning pipeline protection duties in Itsekiri and Ilaje regions to individuals who were previously involved as ringleaders in the ethnic conflicts between Itsekiri and Ijaw, as well as between Ijaw and Ilaje. Any such move would undoubtedly invite chaos.”
“It’s unimaginable that the responsibility of safeguarding oil pipelines in Itsekiri and Ilaje territories has been entrusted to entities that previously engaged in armed conflict against these communities. Therefore, the Itsekiri and Ilaje communities in Ondo, Delta, and Lagos states urge President Tinubu to reassess the oil pipeline contracts to guarantee that local and indigenous individuals residing in areas hosting oil infrastructure become direct beneficiaries.”
Stay updated and stay ahead of the game! For more instant updates, breaking news, and exclusive content on news, follow Lagosstate.com. Don’t let any headline slip by!
