TITLE: NIGER DELTA HOST COMMUNITIES & NNPC JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS.
By Martin Obosso Abadani
There we go again. Niger Delta region is boiling with militancy (media grammar), Youth restiveness, kidnapping, political dictatorship (Mobutu Governors) and Nigerian leaders are desperate to quench the ambers of war through Joint military Task force aka JTF and MOPOL. Our leaders are not interested in developing Nigeria but rather most of them are only interested in petrol dollars or how much their families could benefit from Niger delta Oil and Gas resources. I blame our political leaders with liberal arts education because most of them lack certain qualities to lead frustrated and deprived poor masses. In Niger Delta region, where are the leaders with Geology or Petroleum Engineering experience? How many in Government House or State Assembly and NASS understand geological properties, Vertical Drilling and Offshore drilling sub sea technology in the Energy industry? How many science degree holders are in Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta or Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Government House? How do you develop Niger Delta States with liberal arts academic training with no industrial management experience? What has indigenous people of Kwale in Delta State, Ebocha in Rivers State and Ekeremor or Gbarian in Bayelsa State and many more benefited from PDTF?
Host Communities Education & NNPC JV Agreements:
In Niger Delta region, PDP politicians and political appointees blame militancy and FG for Niger Delta underdevelopment except themselves for poor planning and execution. Yea, they are passing the buck! Most of the political leaders had never run a successful business with more than 50 employees headcount, so what experience do they have to develop Rivers, Bayelsa or Delta states? Lairs! Corrupt! We need to invest more in science and engineering education in Niger Delta region. What do politicians mean by the word development? Where is the middle class citizen in Niger Delta region? Niger Delta political leaders are working for their own interest. The Host communities have been short changed in the Oil and Gas business in Niger Delta region. Why should the Presidency control NNPC? Why? Does the Federal Executive Council represent the Niger Delta energy Host Communities interest? No! Joint Venture Agreements between NNPC and the multi-national Oil and Gas companies provided the legal foundation for energy exploration in Niger Delta region. So, while NNPC group of companies represented Federal Government of Nigeria and the foreign investors interest; Niger Delta Host communities were ignored in this critical legal document. The Contents of the Joint Venture Agreements should be made public.
There is a communication divide between ruling politicians and the masses in Niger Delta region. Politicians talk down on us without listening to our needs. We are not communicating in Niger Delta region. Our leaders tend to be authoritative and oppressive. The government controls all radio stations and major newspapers too.
Some of our politicians are egotistic, arrogant and get power drunk. African political leaders love absolute power, they want to be worshiped like gods. Show me the progress made in society, especially in Rivers State and Bayelsa State, with all the financial resources? Stop the blame game! Whats ex-Governor Odili achievement in Rivers State past 8yrs? Now, we are saddled with internal crisis, fraud, and waste. Where were Magnus Abe and Gov Ameachi during PDP political campaign to win at all cost? Mr. Magnus Abe was the pit bull in Odili administration and he has been playing the same role in Ameachi 's government. PDP leadership has failed Niger Delta people. Its about time Rivers State people took government back from these deceptive people. They blame late Sani Abacha for everything that went wrong in Nigeria during Obasanjo regime. Now, Rivers State politicians are blaming ex-Governor Odili for the rise of militancy in Rivers State. Well, Odili is alive and he should speak for himself. We are tired of hearing excuses from ruling politicians. Truth and reconciliation report would end up in the dustbin like PDP Obasanjo T & R report after late Abacha regime. How many forensic scientist in Rivers State government? How do you proof that some militants killed this or that person in court? Hear say or circumstantial evidence? Forget it! We don't want to hear 'Niger Delta region is a difficult terrain' and construction cost constraints hampers development excuse. So what? Project Management, marine scientist, geological experts and civil engineers could automate construction processes to reduce cost and deliver required results. Please learn from Abu Dhabi 'Palm Island' project. Such Vision does not tickle the imaginations of our liberal arts politicians and civil servants in Niger Delta region. When did a civil servant developed a country in this world? Show me! Nonsense! Tell it to the birds. We have Mini Mobutu governors in Niger Delta region disguised as democratically elected leaders. Oh, I see it. Nigeria development depends on Niger Delta, no matter what form of our economic diversification.
NNPC Joint Venture Agreements, Energy Resources & Youth Militancy:
First, why is Joint Venture Agreement a secret document in Nigeria? Why Niger Delta Governors and State Assemblies have not attempted to request for copies of JV Agreements in their individual States for legal study. What is the content? How do we
renegotiate JV Agreements to include Host communities and the Local Government Authorities to address present injustices in Niger Delta region. I recall Prof Wole Soyinka appealing to Ijaw people to tow the path of Intellectual Militancy. NNPC is the center of our predicament and Nigeria will never see steady or constant electricity supply to power our industries without NNPC/Federal Executive Council developing Niger Delta region through infrastructure and human capital development. NNPC/Major Oil Companies and Federal Executive Council should establish American International University for Marine Science and Technology for 5,000 students in Oloibiri and State Governments/NDDC/Niger Delta Ministry should build campuses in each State. How do you go Abuja to demand for equity and increase in derivation when you don't know the content of the various NNPC Joint Venture Agreements with multi-national Oil and Gas companies?
Nigeria needs Niger Delta natural resources (gas & oil) to develop the local, regional economies and I strongly believe that the oppressed and deprived people in Niger Delta would continue to sabotage pipelines for years to come. FG military (JTF) option in Niger Delta would never bring peace in the region, Nigeria would be the biggest generator powered economy ever known to mankind. With abundant natural gas in Niger Delta region, Nigeria future depends on the corporation of people (Ijaws/Efik/Ogoni/Itsekiri and others) there. Remember that VP Jonathan Goodluck does not represent the masses there. Also, the Northern politicians should realize that Mambilla Hydro power project is not cost effective and waste of money. Our blind leaders (FEC) should consider technical and operational challenges of Ghana Akosombo Dam and Kainji Dam. Natural gas is cheap and abundant in Niger Delta region! So, why is FEC stalling to negotiate with Host Communities/LGA to share the benefits of Oil and Gas money fairly thereby creating peace and constant supply of gas to Gas Turbine substations all over Nigeria for industrial growth. How could you pipe natural gas from Niger Delta to Europe or West Africa region when Ijaw people and other minorities live in abject poverty? There is no University with modern text books or bookstore in Niger Delta region. No Governor and State Assembly has the resources and vision to develop Niger Delta region. It would require massive education programs over time to empowering the natives of individual State to create the multiplying effect of wealth creation. Only the people of the State would be able create businesses to employ the Youths and the multiplier effect would create wealth for all. Governors should assist the few business men or woman to obtain import licenses and also use public/partnerships to build secured warehouses in Bayelsa, Ahoada, Mbiama etc to promote international trade. Niger Delta region is the darling of the whole country! Right now, they are fighting each other with public funds for power to rule.
ICT - Galaxy Backbone & Generator Broadband Delivery:
FG/FEC and NNPC paid Galaxy Backbone N11b to provide broadband network with VSAT technology to be powered by solar panels or generators. Galaxy Backbone is the biggest IT fraud in Nigeria today. Tell me, how could you deploy state of the art technology without constant electricity supply? I have a question for these thieves (419) ICT experts at Galaxy Backbone/NNPC, I urge Galaxy Backbone to publish their Network design relating to the last mile for the public to see. Yes, you can use VSAT to transport data/voice/video (limited bandwidth) to transceivers to propagate signals between Earth Computer station, HUB, Transceiver, Transponder and Satellite. It is just like MTN uses wireless technology. So, if MTN and Glo could deploy their equipments all over Nigeria, Is JTF protecting MTN/Glo wireless network equipments? Why can't Galaxy backbone do the same for co-location. How is Galaxy backbone going to handle the last mile from the Data Centers, that is, from the end Node (VSAT/Transceiver) to the desktop terminal with keyboard.
How would Galaxy Backbone provide electricity to power these critical network equipments? Is it going to be diesel fuel and generators power strategy or solar technology? Galaxy Backbone could use Federal/State buildings rooftops for co-location but the choice of NIPOST or post office building locations is poor strategy for service delivery. Why not State secretariats instead of Post Office locations? How does Galaxy backbone expect civil servants to walk to Post Offices to use email systems or do file transfers? Why the Post Office data center location when IT service delivery is meant for the Ministries or Government Agencies? Poor location site choice? Who is the Satellite Provider to Galaxy Backbone in Nigeria? Is it Hughes Network Systems (world largest Satellite Provider) of California or NIGCOMSAT – Chinese satellite provider? If Galaxy Backbone had perfect strategy to deliver multimedia service systems across the country then most VSAT Hubs could be located in each State Governor House. Presumably, there would be security in every Government House. Countryman, Federal Executive Council (FEC) members a smart people but they don't understand large scalable multimedia Networks. They have been fooled, just like the power projects that has failed to provide Nigerians constant electricity supply.
Another point Galaxy Backbone representative failed to explain was the geographic coverage regions and how they intend to propagate signals across hills and mountain ranges? But look at what the Federal Government had done along the Benin-Ore road. Are Nigerians expecting Satellite broadband technology service delivery with generators or solar power? Good Luck! Nothing will work without electricity in Nigeria! This is a Cuckoo project and fraudulent Galaxy Backbone networks would fail to deliver the desired results. Anything that goes up must come down. Therefore, i wish to inform you that Galaxy Backbone has a blind theoretical dream on paper and they would abandon the last mile delivery because Galaxy Backbone has flawed technical feasibility studies for broadband delivery system in Nigeria. Good scalable multimedia networks should be able to have several attached Servers/Host at the Data Centers to handle more than 1000 PC or clients running all kinds of business applications. There would be no information technology integration to deliver multimedia service in Nigeria without constant electricity supply from Niger Delta region. Please don't put the cart before the horse! Nigeria needs Niger Delta region to move forward. Niger Delta region has the cheapest energy resources for the next 200 years and beyond. Nigeria would not develop without peace in Niger Delta region and the military option would not provide long term peace either. Nigeria needs Niger Delta peoples cooperation and unrestricted access to natural gas resources. We can only achieve such equilibrium when Niger Delta people see equity, justice and fiscal federalism in our constitution. So, Senator David Mark, we are waiting to see your leadership skills in the Senate. What has Senator Mark achieved representing the Military interest? Nothing! Nigeria military at crossroads! By the way. Who owns NNPC? Don't let the name fool ya.
Corporate Responsibility & Citizen Expectations:
The so-called Vision 2020 is just on paper, it will not happen without using Niger Delta natural gas to feed Gas Turbines to provide constant and uninterrupted electricity to every region in the country. Nigerians and especially my Niger Delta country folks should realize that these Multi-national Oil and Gas companies are not 'RED CROSS' organizations or philanthropists. British and US Oil and Gas companies are in Niger Delta region to make money or profit for their share holders and they are operating within legal content of the Joint Venture Agreements. If your name is not in the JV Agreement then they are not obligated to deal with you. Most Host communities GMoU with Oil and Gas companies would be thrown out in International Courts, such as Supreme Court of NY or CA. They are week legal documents and Host communities lack adequate legal resources to fight these monsters. Although, companies have social responsibility but they are not obligated to develop your community. Niger Delta Oil and Gas producing Host communities and LGA should be represented at Petroleum Development Trust Fund and Host Communities should also get more than 50% of the PDTF resource allocation for human capital development. It's also interesting to hear that President Yara Adua has built a private university in Katsina (camel kingdom) which is a region does not contribute kobo to the national treasury. Ex-President Obasanjo was able to build Bell University system for his people, also in region that does not contribute kobo to the national treasury. VP Atiku also established an American University in Adamawa State (desert). In all cases, the source of the funds for their educational projects indirectly came from Niger Delta resources. Therefore, I would like to appeal to VP Jonathan and Elder Orubebe to use their influence in the Presidency to build an American International University in Ogbia Kingdom or Oloibiri area. We are also appealing to Chief E.K. Clark, Elder Orubebe and VP Jonathan to partner with Sweden and Germany to establish modern fully equipped turnkey vocational training centers with capacity for two thousand (2000) students minimum in each core Niger Delta State. Also, we want free vocational education for all youth groups/members in Niger Delta region. Niger Delta governors should provide free education and free or subsidized meals on college campuses.
Niger Delta leaders should focus on agitation for decentralization of Nigeria Ports Authority Management and Operations. It could provide South-South and South-Eastern ports equal playing field to develop rail/road infrastructure, warehouses, manufacturing business and create employment opportunities for local and regional economic development.
Lagos Nigeria Ports Authority management is strangling economic development in South South/Southeastern ports region. Federal Government should pay for all ports development cost in South South/Southeastern Nigeria. Why should PH, Warri and Calabar ports depend on the dictates of NPA management in Lagos/Abuja while most cargo traffic goes to Lagos ports by design. This is economic suicide! No State Government should use her monthly allocation or bank loans to develop a sea port in Nigeria. Bayelsa leaders should go to the Federal Government and demand construction of a seaport at Brass. NASS and State Assemblies should reform NPA Act. Senator David Mark National Assembly seems to be unproductive anyway you look at the senate. Niger Delta ports can compete with Lagos and Cotonou ports if FG reforms NPA act. FG/NPA should equip Eastern/South-South ports to compete with Lagos and Cotonou ports to stimulate economic growth in Niger Delta region..
Nigeria Democracy – Separation of Church & State:
Funding Religious Pilgrimages with public funds, high Children Mortality and decay in Women Maternity Care Delivery. What's the Presidency (FEC) thinking?
Another thing I would like to mention is Federal Government and State Government sponsoring of religious pilgrimages to Saudi Arabia and Israel with public funds. What do we gain from religious trips to Mecca and the Holy Land? Nothing! Yes, I believe in God too. Our Presidency is sleeping! How many religious riots occurred in Middle belt and Northern Nigeria despite the huge government spending on religious pilgrimages? There is no benefit to society at all. The funds could be properly used to build children and women hospitals or clinics with adequate medical supplies to reduce children mortality rate and also provide care for women maternity. Politicians don't care about where the next senator or president would be born in Nigeria? Chop, chop Nigeria Presidency and democracy dividends? How many victims of ethnic-religious riots receive compensation from the State governments? Is there Insurance Company in Nigeria that would underwrite religious riots? How many panels or commission reports have been implemented. They all end up in the dustbin? They are using Niger Delta region oil and gas money to promote religious tourism in Mecca and Israel with no benefit to Nigerians. There should be separation of church and state in Nigerian politics. I don't care if someone wants to visit Mecca or Israel with their own hard earned money but don't use State or public money. There are thousands of children in the creeks who need good health care and school supplies.
Nigeria Re branding & Nigeria Police Infrastructure:
Nigeria Police deserve new Police Station infrastructure. FG should allow State government to buy land and build new Police Stations with modern amenities. How do you expect a police man to smile when the work environment is unpleasant? National Assembly should come up with a creative method to build new structures with customer service delivery tools. Nigerians see current police buildings as gulags.
How do Nigerians expect police officers to smile at the counter in such depressing work environment?
FG should start re branding Nigeria from the citizens police stations, we need new buildings, at least twice the current size, new paint, new furniture, phone (courtesy of NITEL/Glo), computers and crime labs. It seems our FG is not being creative at all. NYSC members could be mobilized weekly with paint and brushes to paint school buildings, University buildings and community hospitals or clinics while civil servants paint and clean their buildings and do some landscaping in every LGA. Our institutions are crumbling! Some University buildings have not been painted for long, long time and yet we produce crude Oil, the main raw material for paint production. Nigeria FG agriculture policies tend to be socialist policies and reactive to our food needs. I call President Yara Adua agriculture 'TUWO SHINKAFA' policy! For instance, If FG detects rice shortages in the market place, FEC approves orders for the Federal Minister of Agriculture to import massive quantities of rice. If they identify cement scarcity, then FEC approves import orders for massive importation of cement which reflects congestions at Lagos ports while South-South/South Eastern ports beg for traffic. Ship/Cargo vessel owner are benefiting from Nigeria failed policies. Presidency 'TUWO SHINKAFA OR RICE FLOUR' policy stinks! Federal Executive Council and the Min of Agriculture should be ashamed of agriculture productivity and the culture of wholesale importing food items Nigeria have the capacity to produce locally. Regardless of the Nigerian generator economy including Cotonou area, Local Beer, Coca Cola and Cigarette manufacturers are profitable. Healthy foods indeed!
We love to consume the pleasures of life but we never own the assets to produce it. How can the business owner think long term investment when Bank interest rates hover around 20% and lack of electricity. Its crazy! Vision 2020 is a mirage on paper! Peace & love. Thanks.
By Martin Obosso Abadani
Email: martin2abadani@gmail.com
USA
