Delta State HOSTCOM Gives 21 Days Protest Notice To Governor Oborevwori

 

By Wilson Macaulay 

Host Communities of Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas( HOSTCOM ),Delta State Chapter,which  interfaces between  the Oil Gas bearing communities and DESOPADEC  has given

the Delta State Governor ,His  Excellency,  RT Hon Sheriff Oborevwori  21 Days Protest  notice,  over a plethora of problems which they catalogue in their open letter to the Governor.

The Delta State Chapter of HOSTCOM  expressed deep concern and frustration over the deteriorating operational condition of HOSTCOM  which  they attributed to various nonchalant attitude of the Delta State Government and DESOPADEC  which always complain of paucity of funds. 

They lamented that several attempts has been made by HOSTCOM  as a law abiding organization  to demand what is legitimately due to them,in terms of the 13 % Percent Oil derivation funds, which has run into  billions  given  to DESOPADEC to manage  for and on behalf of HOSTCOM, with nothing 

good and fair  to show  from   DESOPADEC and the Delta State

 Government.

While trying to emphasize their legitimacy, they said:  " We can still recall vividly, when some disgruntled elements in the guise of laying unfounded allegations of mismanagement of the 13% derivation funds.In furtherance,these set of persons in the toga of "Oil Community Representative", mobilized unscrupulous elements to protest on print and social media, but  we resisted them, because  they were fifth columnist used by politician, who  wanted  to derail the electoral process in 2023 .

The Leadership of  Delta State HOSTCOM  , beginning  from the State Chairman,  Comrade Enujeke Ndidi Sunday, the State Youth leader, Comrade Onyeka Ayangba ,  The State Woman leader Mrs Loveth Eguare,The Itsekiri ethnic nationality Chairman Mr Goodwill Oruru,ljaw ethnic nationality Chairman, Mr Kingsley  lkire, the Urhobo ethnic nationality Chairman, Mr Andrew Agoyo ,The isoko ethnic nationality chairman Comrade Emmanuel OMOKARO, Ndokwa ethnic, Chairman, Chris Nwose and others, made themselves unequivocally clear that they can no longer tolerate the harsh and adverse effect of the neglect from the  State Government over the  13 Percent derivation which rightly belongs to the  Oil and Gas bearing communities of HOSTCOM

They strongly asserted that it is an error to allow 

DESOPADEC to neglect HOSTCOM which is the primary purpose of the establishment of DESOPADEC, an idea which can  be likened  to a hired Nanny who  refused to bathe the baby she is paid to nurse

While affirming the neutrality of HOSTCOM, the Statement noted:   "HOSTCOM is  non political but we do support governments that utilizes the   funds meant for development well, which is  what we have been  doing,also we  criticize when the need arises."

In a statement signed by Comrade Enujeke Ndidi Sunday, Chairman Delta State HOSTCOM and others , the  organization highlighted several critical issues confronting  them, top of which is lack of funding and Government lackadaisical attitude towards the plight of HOSTCOM,which is made to beg for what belongs to them from DESOPADEC, that is established  as an interventionist agency to serve HOSTCOM .

 The Delta State chapter of HOSTCOM  in their Press Statement  carpeted the Delta State Government led by His Excellency, RT Hon Sheriff Oborevwori,for being  indifferent and unresponsive to the sufferings and demands of  HOSTCOM which they  have communicated severally,through  missives,that where not attended to, without any plausible explanation from the Governor's office .

The protest notice ,they explained, became imperative because ,HOSTCOM is passing through  untold hardship  while the Delta State Government is overtly lukewarm and unperturbed over the sufferings, and yearnings of HOSTCOM the statement reads.

The 21 Days Protest notice emphasized the urgency for the Delta  State Government to take immediate and decisive action to address the  outstanding issues of neglect  and reckless abandonment of a very strategic body such as HOSTCOM which is statutorily recognized to be funded by accruable  funds  coming regularly through federal allocation as we all know in the public space.

The Statement made it abundantly clear saying : "As we are waiting patiently for the State 

Government response to our germane demands,we should not be cowed using the rhetoric "paucity of fund",a language, which HOSTCOM, shall vehemently resist!!

Citing Section 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and association, the Delta State Chapter of HOSTCOM  made up of all the  leaders of the Various ethnic nationalities and the youth leaders  expressed  their readiness to hold the  planned  peaceful protest if their  germane demands falls on deaf ears after the  expiration of the 21 Days ultimatum .

The Statement added :"The  protest aims to amplify the discontent and grievances of HOSTCOM,over the  years and the dire state of it's members in the smooth running of the affairs of  HOSTCOM in Delta State, a practice which is against the ethos and the pillar of democracy."

HOSTCOM in their statement,outlined specific demands from  the Delta State  Government, some of the major items  on the list includes but not limited to the following:

 1:Immediate release of the five (5) buses and intervention by the Delta State Government,in ensuring the timely release of HOSTCOM Yearly subversion allocation,which has accrued to several millions without any hiccups is fundermentaly demanded.

2: Immediate Attention should be given to the knotty issue of 13 Percent  derivation accountability by the Governor, because it is the fundamental right of HOSTCOM to know how the disbursement is been patterned.

3;The abandoned HOSTCOM ICT Training Centre, should be financed and activated with immediate effect to strengthen and enhance capacity building amongst our youths.

4: Training/Capacity building and  empowerment of our Women / Youths  running into millions are yet to kickstart.

This is on a regular basis in designated field as agreed upon in earlier engagements should be upheld without further delays.

5 We demand that since DESOPADEC 

as an  interventionist agency of Government  is DESOPADEC, managing  50% of the 13 %derivation fund , HOSTCOM should be Co-Managers of the fund as established by law.

6 ln a very transparent manner, there should be accountability by 

DESOPADEC  to HOSTCOM . We strongly believe this is key to  the take off  of concrete developmental projects be be executed to specification.

7 :Delta State Government should understand that the 13%derivation

that is accruable to HOSTCOM, is not a

demand , but a law for  provisions to HOSTCOM,on an annual  basis.

The Delta State HOSTCOM reiterated

their call on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to heed their cries and take swift action to remedy the situation. The organization stressed that  if the  Government fails  to use the window of the 21 Days notice, HOSTCOM will mobilize all her structures in the state to carry  out the planned protest  which will be peaceful and in full compliance with constitutional provisions.

The Statement added: " We call on the state government to act accordingly ,in order to "AVERT YOUTH/WOMEN  restiveness  within the Oil Bearing communities.

It is worthy of note, that HOSTCOM with the large support base coming out with  announcement of protest at this  precarious time,marks a significant escalation in the ongoing tensions between the  HOSTCOM and the Delta State Government. 

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these demands and whether any tangible changes will be made to address the pressing issues raised by HOSTCOM.

However, informed  opinion in different circles concurred that in order not to make a MINCED MEAT of the MORE AGENDA, which  is the new bride of Deltans,  at the moment,  it is  by far,more reasonable for the Delta State Government,to apply the carrot and the olive branch approach, to stem the tide of dis-affection between the Government and the oil Producing Communities in Delta State . This indeed shall be the mother of all protests for  "a  stitch in time saves nine".