“Fighting Over Crumbs While the Region Starves: Stark Warning Rocks Niger Delta Leadership”
By Passman Akpos
A prominent Niger Delta leader, Chris Ekiyor, has issued a strong call for unity and restraint amid escalating controversies surrounding pipeline surveillance contracts in the region, warning that internal divisions could undermine long-term development goals.
In a statement released on Saturday, the President Emeritus of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) expressed concern over what he described as “media tantrums and hostilities” among stakeholders, saying the ongoing disputes are weakening the collective bargaining strength of the Niger Delta.
“The current public disagreements are painting a troubling picture of a region at war with itself,” Ekiyor said, urging all parties to immediately halt public confrontations and embrace dialogue. He cautioned that focusing on short-term financial gains from surveillance contracts risks distracting from more critical and longstanding issues affecting the region.
Unfulfilled Promises Resurface
Ekiyor also revisited past engagements with the late former President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, noting that key commitments made to the Niger Delta—ranging from pipeline security reforms to infrastructure development—remain largely unmet.
He highlighted lingering challenges such as the stalled East-West Road project, persistent power shortages, and inadequate healthcare systems, stressing that these systemic issues continue to impact millions across the oil-rich region.
According to him, the long-delayed cleanup of Ogoniland remains a symbol of unfulfilled federal promises, even as communities grapple with environmental degradation and economic hardship.
Call for Reconciliation Among Leaders
The IYC leader appealed directly to former and current leaders within the region, particularly past presidents of the council, to convene an urgent high-level reconciliation meeting aimed at restoring unity and charting a common agenda.
“Unity is the only currency that will make the rest of the country take us seriously,” he said, emphasizing the need for a coordinated push toward strategic priorities such as ownership of marginal oil fields, large-scale land reclamation, and port dredging projects to stimulate commerce.
Beyond Oil: A Push for Economic DiversificationEkiyor stressed that the economic future of the Niger Delta must extend beyond pipeline surveillance roles, calling for deliberate investment in entrepreneurship and innovation.
He revealed his personal struggle to secure funding for a refinery project despite its viability, describing it as reflective of broader systemic barriers faced by local entrepreneurs.
The statement called on the Federal Government to support initiatives such as modular refineries, healthcare enterprises, and technology hubs, arguing that sustainable employment for youths lies in diversified economic growth rather than dependency on oil-related contracts.
Commitment to Peaceful Engagement
Reaffirming his commitment to peace, Ekiyor disclosed plans to engage key stakeholders across the region in the coming days to foster dialogue and de-escalate tensions.
He also urged social media users to act responsibly, warning against inflammatory rhetoric that could deepen divisions.
“Let us choose reason over rage. Let us choose development over disputes,” he stated, adding that the Niger Delta’s future depends on collective action anchored in unity and shared vision.
The statement comes at a time of heightened debate over resource control and contract allocations in the region, with analysts warning that continued infighting could erode the Niger Delta’s influence in national discourse.
