NDDC: Deals durring Akpabio's Close door meeting with Tompolo, Otuaro in Gbaramtu raises dust

NDDC: Deals durring Akpabio's Close door meeting with Tompolo, Otuaro in Gbaramtu raises dust

Coppied Feature

The  emergency consultative visit of the Niger Delta Affairs minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio to Oporoza, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri, South west Local Area of Delta State seemed premeditated and executed after a closed door meeting with a plan to make everyone believed that it was as a result of the seven-day ultimatum issued by ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

The move and the timing was well calculated to attract public support and sympathy for a project that was well calculated perhaps to serve the interest of few (Tompolo Group). The premeditated visit was fully transactional between those with topnotch interest to get key position in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to enable them take full control of States within the Niger Delta region ahead of 2023 particularly Delta State Government, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Presidential Amnesty Coordinator and juicy contracts.

The minister visit if not to fool many after a closed door meeting to seal previously agreed deals that was done in secret, the other part of the show was a public dramatisation of nonsense to impress many who ignorantly fought for the interest of few thinking, they were fighting for the general good of the region. 

Niger Delta Youths, protesters and sympathisers were fooled into believing that it was for the region. Protesters from different ethnics in Delta state namely Ijaw Youths, Isoko, Urhobo, Ndokwa and others went on a public display of displeasure of how the region concerns is being mishandled especially by the federal government, even Governors from the Niger Delta were saddened by the federal government refusal to constitute a substantive board. 

A problem that generated so much public outcry was only given a dramatic reaction when Tompolo handed down a seven days Ultimatum with what appeared to be a hypocritical business meeting. 

 

The secret meeting was held at Mr Mathew Tonlagha residence, Oporoza. Executive Director of Fenog Nigeria Limited those in attendance were the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio, Tompolo, Chief Dennis Otuara, Chief Kestin Pondi and the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Barr Kingsley Burutu Otuara where a list of Tompolo and his group interest was handed over to Senator Akpabio for Peace in the region, it was made clear to the minister that he (Akpabio) should work with Chief Timpre Sylva Minister of Petroleum Resources for State to make sure the Amnesty Coordinator is giving to him (Tompolo) and he personally presented Chief Dennis Otuara CV to be appointed Coordinator Presidential of Amnesty Programme, We don't want to conclude that the visit between those he (Akpabio) met secretly was a transaction to service their quest for power deals but there was more to it than meet the eyes.

It will interest the public to note that Mr Mathew Tonlagha, Executive Director of Fenog Nigeria Limited is the Tompolo Security Agency pays master, where all security agent Commanders, Directors and top officers are paid by Mr Mathew Tonlagha under Fenog Nigeria Limited operational activities.

The planned is to use his office and closeness to the presidency to do a job of fixing their choice of persons into NDDC and Amnesty office by taking advantage of IYC ultimatum to constitute the substantive board of NDDC. 

The issue of substantive board was used as a theme for the drama of dirty trade on the regions woes.

The agitations were planed, perhaps powered by those who held the close door meeting with Akpabio and take advantage to present their choice and position to Mr President through Akpabio visit

The logistics and sponsorship of that protest could not have happened without a projection of selfish interest. genuine agitations for general interest has been misused to trade with the woes of the region by those who seek power, fame and continue dominance of their loyalist.

The dirty trade with Niger Delta Woes predates the current Akpabio, Gbaramtu visit, underdevelopment of Niger Delta is a big business for some. little wonder Akpabio went to the creeks in the company of the deputy governor of Delta State, Kingsley Otuaro and top military officers.

Though Akpabio was economical with the truth when he said that they had a robust discussion and consultation but did not mention the deal in the meeting before the meeting and the closed door meeting with whom it may concern. 

Insinuations from grapevine revealed that the secret meeting may have been arranged to conclude a deal of racketeering the office of the coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Program and allocations of slots and contracts in NDDC to Tompolo. 

It was so conspicuous that they stage managed what the public should know in the open meeting after that clandestine indoor meeting. They said that Akpabio was told to return to Abuja and constitute the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). It was also reported that Tompolo have insisted that the seven-day ultimatum for the constitution of the board still stands. 

There seems to be a deceptive impression giving to the public alongside a stage managed drama to fool everyone.

In what seems like implementating the back door deal, barely one day after the Akpabio left, the media reported that Ex-Militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, has called off his seven-day ultimatum to disrupt oil and gas facilities in Nigern Delta region if the board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, was not constituted. This has also left many in doubt and uncertain about what is the benefits of all who moved in the protest.

It was also reported in the media that there was Akpabio, Tompolo parley. It was copiously stated that Otuaro attended the closed door session of the minister’s meeting with Tompolo at Oporoza, in Warri South-West council.

Many are of the notion that the close door meeting was also the agenda that informed the presidential welcome given to Akpabio by the leaders, our supposed leaders.

The leaders and stakeholders in the region should know that those using their position to trade on Niger Delta woes are playing with the future of the region.