From Paul Osuyi, Asaba

Delta Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has described the militant group, New Delta Avengers (NDA), as a source of distraction being sponsored by fifth columnists, to create tension in the state in particular and the Niger Delta region in general.

The governor, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, in Asaba, yesterday, disowned the militant group.

The NDA, had, last week, vowed to launch a bloody and destructive and vengeful campaign against oil installations and blamed governor Okowa for their action.

They accused the governor of shortchanging Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission (DESOPADEC) of its statutory 13 percent monthly allocation.

The group alleged that from the N144 billion allocation which accrued to the state in 2016, the governor embezzled N40 billion due the oil commission.

But, the governor, who responded through Aniagwu, disowned the militia group, and wondered why fifth columnists were bent on distracting his government.

He said although democracy offers everybody the latitude to freedom of expression, his administration abhors any statement  capable of endangering the prevailing peace and stability in the state.

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“We are working within the confines of available resources.

“We have made oil-bearing communities our first priority.

“When what comes in cannot pay salaries of over 60,000 workers, how do you expect us to start sharing it for oil derivation? Anybody who is seized of this fact is a traitor and loaded with criminal intention,” Aniagwu added.

He was categorical that the group did not emerge from the state but were being sponsored to destabilise the Okowa-led administration.

“They (militants) are not from this state, they are neither Itshekiri nor Urhobo, they are not Ijaws or Anioma, because we have since logged on to development.com as a state,” he revealed.

He listed ongoing projects in oil-bearing communities, including Okerenkoko, Ogulaha and some parts of Gbaramatu kingdom to include, construction of internal roads, renovation of dilapidated educational facilities and the collaboration of the state with the Federal Government for Maritime University to come on stream.

Aniagwu said the governor has started stabilising the state by financing the N500 billion contractual and bonds debts he inherited from the immediate past administration. 

While he appealed to the militia group to give peace a chance and engage the state government in constructive dialogue, he said every organ of government was affected by the current recession.