Use Recovered Loot To Develop Oil Producing Areas – NGO

Chuks Ekpeneru

Niger Delta peace and environment advocate, Comrade Sheriff Mulade has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to use the recovered $308M Abacha’s loot to develop the neglected oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta Region.

In a press release, Comrade Mulade, who is National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice  ( CEPEJ ) advised that the recovered $308m Abacha’s loots should be channeled to the development of oil producing communities across the federation, especially core states like Delta, Bayelsa and River States.

He said: “The recovered funds were proceeds from oil exploration activities from the oil communities particularly from Akwa Ibom, Delta, Bayelsa and River States during the period General Abacha was Head of State, adding that; “So the funds should be majorly used for infrastructural and human capital development of the people and the region to give them sense of belonging”.

“We should not repeat the same mistake a second time. Using the recovered funds for the construction of Lagos – Ibadan expressway, Abuja – Kano expressway and Second Niger bridge is a misplaced priority and an act of injustice to the oil producing communities and States”, he added.

‘The funds should be used mainly for the construction of projects that will create employment to reduce youth restiveness and engage the armed of youths in areas such as Marine Fisheries/ Aquacultural industries,  Marine Forest Management Institutions and construction of roads and bridges linking towns and villages in the Coastal communities of the region

He said the plans by the Federal Government to use the recovery funds $308m from former Head of State, Late General Sani Abacha for the construction of Lagos – Ibadan expressway, Abuja – Kano expressway and Second Niger bridge is a welcome development.

In his words; “If the fund is used for the infrastructural and human capital development of the oil-bearing communities, it will boost the marine economic growth and help alleviate poverty from the coastal  communities”

He appealed to President Buhari not to allocate or share the fund to any Developmental Agencies in the Niger Delta Region rather the Federal Government should apply them directly to avoid corruption.

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