From: WALTER UKAEGBU, ABUJA
The leadership of the Oil & Solid Mineral Producing Area Landlords’ Association of Nigeria (OMPALAN) have sought a timeframe for relocation of multinational oil companies’ headquarters to their areas of operations.
They urged the Federal Government to implement the decision on modular refineries.
According to a press statement that its chairman, Board of Trustees, Bishop Udo Azogu, which was made available to Daily Sun, in Abuja, on Monday the call on the government was part of highlights of the association’s interactive meeting in Oguta, Imo State.
Azogu also urged those attacking Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, to allow peace to reign, saying that the Okorocha has excelled in transforming the state into a modern state especially in the area of infrastructural development.
The OMPALAN leaders said for Nigeria’s democracy to survive there must be clear separation of power between the three arms of Government notably the executive, the legislature and the judiciary with no arm interfering in the affairs of the other.
The anti- graft agencies such as the ICPC, EFCC and the Nigeria Police, according to him, should be granted autonomy status to carry out their constitutional functions.
He warned that no individual no matter how highly placed in the society should be above the law stressing that the Country’s democratic institutions of governance must operate above every individual within the sovereign shores of the Country.
The OMPALAN leader extolled aggrieved youths of the Niger Delta region on the prevailing peace in the volatile region. praised them during an interactive meeting. The state also noted that the leaders of the association also met in Lagos to appraise the security situation in oil producing areas and to chart the way forward for the region.
Azogu said the ball was now on the court of the Federal Government to decide the future of the embattled region.
Azogu commended the governors of oil producing states for standing with host communities during the recent tour of the region by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo which brought much confidence to oil producing communities.
Professor Osinbajo’s visit to oil producing states gave President Buhari wide acceptability in the troubled region.
He said the prevailing goodwill of the good people of the Niger Delta region towards President Buhari was a healing peel that restored his health and urged every God-fearing citizen to be relentless in praying for the President so as to pursue his anti-graft war to a logical conclusion.
Azogu urged all Nigerians to accept and cooperate with anybody who emerges victorious as President or Governor or in any elective office through a democratic process stressing that political parties are mere platforms to pursue legitimate political ambitions.
He called on OMPALAN members to support the rule of law and deliver on their critical mandate of protecting the environment of oil and solid mineral producing communities through lawful means.
Azogu said the association has developed a blue-print for sustainable peace and development of oil and solid mineral producing communities which they intend to present to President Buhari as their contribution towards peace and development of the region.
Chief Sam Ezediaro also said, “I enjoin the cream of distinguished personalities here present to help in moulding the society in your respective domains to embrace values that will make Nigeria peaceful, great and competitive within the comity of nation.
“It is my desire that both the ruling party and opposition parties at all levels of governance work together as partners in progress and as a people bound together by a common destiny.
“The issue of security requires the cooperation of every law-abiding citizen of this Country irrespective of party affiliation because insecurity does not differentiate between political parties.”