Niger Delta

Crude oil exploration is a bitter experience for N’Delta —Monarch

The traditional ruler of Ekpetiama Kingdom, Bubaraye Dakolo, Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Bubaraye Dakolo, has described the over 50 years exploration of crude oil in Nigeria as a bitter experience for people of the Niger Delta region.

Dakolo, who is also the chairman of Traditional Rulers Council in the state, said this when a non-government organisation (NGO), Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF), led some selected youths to his palace to discuss the future of the people and environment of the Niger Delta region.

While addressing the youth selected from oil and gas producing communities across Bayelsa State, King Dakolo expressed fears that if nothing was done quickly, the era of crude oil trade could be worse than the experience the people had during the slave and palm oil trade era.

He appealed to the young people to embrace education and devote their time to learn ways to help better the environment and improve the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region that had suffered years of environmental degradation.

“I want to urge you to always take whatever you do serious so that you can grow up to become crusaders who will demand a better environment for your people. Today, crude oil that is supposed to be a blessing to us had become a bitter experience for us.” he said.

Earlier in his address, an environmentalist and Director of HOMEF, Mr. Nnimmo Bassey, said the visit was intended to give youths the opportunity to tap wisdom from the royal father.

“We came with young people because education is a strong tool for the growth of young people. We are here to learn about things that are of natural value to human nature, things like climate change, amongst others.

“Also, we are here to get the right knowledge not the wrong one, but the one that will take young people far in life,” he said.

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“Absolutely, When we came with the Buhari government in 2015 I became the minister. We were committed to a roadmap to establish a National Carrier, to concession the airports, to set up a leasing company, to establish cargo facilities and we have been doing that.”

On why the Buhari government wanted a national carrier, the minister responded: “Nigeria is situated at the centre of Africa, equidistant from all locations in Africa. 30.4 million square kilometres miles, 1.5 billion people, very green land. If Central and Eastern Africa is the belt of the continent, then Nigeria is the buckle. 200 million people and rising middle class, propensity to fly is high. Nigeria is a candidate for National Carrier.”

Sirika who insisted that the coming national carrier will be private sector driven added; “Private. Yes. 5 per cent government and no government stepping right in that company, no government control, no membership of government on board. Totally private and committed.

“Whatever we say we will do as a government since 2015, it has happened. that is why Tim Clark of Emirates, Qatar Airways and all of them are looking to go into Nigeria in multiple frequencies and multiple landing points because Nigeria is the right place for the airline business.

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