Chief Ayiri Emami, the Ajuwaoyiboyami of Warri Kingdom has revealed that the reason why he was at war with Goodluck Jonathan was because the former president failed to create opportunities for Niger-Deltans to develop the area.
In an interview with Vanguard, the Itsekiri leader who has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party said that although the Niger Delta region was facing a lot of neglect, he was against the bombing of pipelines and kidnapping.
He said: “One of my fights with Jonathan was about the OML (Oil Mining Licenses)because if they had given those of us from this area the first Right of Refusal, this place would not have turned a junkyard when Shell deserted Warri. Those were my fights, it was not personal, if you are divesting, first, think about the people that stay here. When you sell to somebody that stays in Lagos, automatically, you are killing the entire state.”
I think the first development in life is for you to have adequate security and that is why I have confidence in this government. I believe that they are ready to protect life and property. For instance, when former President Goodluck Jonathan said he wanted to come and commission the Export Processing Zone, EPZ, project and a person just directed that they should get boats into the river and the President called off his visit. Can that happen in any part of this world, it cannot, but can such a thing happen under this dispensation.
He applauded the present administration for providing job opportunities for Deltans,
“With the opportunity the present government is providing, we are in the process of building a gas plant and refinery to create jobs for Deltans. I am looking at providing 2000 to 3000 for people in all my outlets. My plan is to establish mega floating petrol stations in the riverine communities, which I want to discuss with the Minister of Petroleum. Presently, we are building a tank farm and I had the opportunity of meeting the Minister of State for Petroleum, he said those that have the capacity should go ahead and put themselves together to stop bunkering so that investors can come in. I want to work with those type of people because if they give us opportunity, we will be able to create jobs in our place. If we are going to stop bunkering, we need to take the refined products to the doorsteps of the villagers, which is why I will continue to fight anybody that wants to kill our dream for his personal interest. However, we are in the process of building a Refinery and Gas Plant. Ultimately, if there is one reason why I must give my 100 percent support to President Buhari, it is because of the way he is handling the security of the nation…nobody is now above the law.”
You may read the full interview here
You may read the full interview here
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