Before we raise hope on Niger Delta Ministry

I want to commend President Umaru Yar’Adua for the newly-established Niger Delta ministry. This shows he has the interest of the people of the area at heart.
While many are of the belief that the new ministry will solve all the problems of the Niger Delta region, I, however, want to express caution. Many committees have been set up in the country to look into the problems being faced by the Niger Delta people.

It is unfortunate, however, that despite all the recommendations of these committees, none has been implemented till date. The only thing I think the government has succeeded in doing is the introduction of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the area, which, in itself, has added to the problems.

This is because, the militants are further infuriated by the presence of these soldiers, as a result, they flex their power, and there is no doubt that these militants have in their possesion sophisticated weapons, to show the federal government that no amount of soldiers stationed in the area can stop them from fighting for their cause.

President Yar’Adua, while he wants the best for the Niger Delta, must make sure the Minister in charge of the ministry is one with proven integrity. There is no dout that government has been pumping money into the Niger Delta since their agigation caught the attention of the world, but corrupt officials in charge of administering these funds have made government’s efforts not to be appreciated.

The head of one of the agencies administering development in the Niger Delta is a good example. He was reported to have given an herbalist N800m for make him some charms, I don’t know how true this is. The governors in the area are also not helping matters. Now, they are demanding for more share of oil money but if one could not be trusted with little things, then such a person could, definitely, not be trusted with big things.

While I want the new Niger Delta Ministry to make an impact in the lives of the people of the area, as a Niger Delta, I am more concerned about corruption.

Will this not be another avenue for some people to enrich themselves?
I hope president Yar’Adua will appoint a credible Niger Delta to man the affairs of the ministry.



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