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 theDelta 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%derivationthat 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 moblize 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”.
By Wilson Macaulay
