Delta North Initiative For Equity, Justice And Good Governance has watched with dismay, disbelief, and consantination the unacceptable barricade of the premises of the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority in Benin by a gang of protesters claiming to represent the Bini ethnic nationality in Edo State and equally claiming to be acting with the permission of the Oba of Benin.
In a press release made available to journalists and was signed by Mathias Aghalor , Barrister Anthony Ossai,Secretary ,Chief Kenechukwu Monyei,
Publicity Secretary .
This madness has been on for about a week now, and neither the Nigeria Police nor other relevant authorities have called the protesters to order.
The protesters bearing all manners of placards are erroneously demanding as Host Community to the Agency Head Office, that the appointment of the Managing Director of the Agency be made to their son who from our checks is a staff of the Agency.
This demand is even without recourse to the fact that the immediate past Managing Director of this same Agency, who has just finished his two term tenure of Eight (8) years is from the same Edo State.
Moreover, Edo State has equally occupied the office of Managing Director of the Agency for FIVE (5) TIMES since the formation of the Agency. This is far more than any of the other member states of the Agency.
For the benefit of doubt, it is pertinent to inform the Bini protesters and the general public that the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority BORBDA is composed of the following Four States – Edo, Ondo, Ekiti and Delta respectively.
Any attempt, therefore, to covet the fortunes of the Agency by this Bini ethnic protesters of Edo State will be vehemently resisted by this body as representing the Agency catchment area in Delta State.
We call on the Hon. Dr. Femi Adekanbi led newly Appointed Management of this Agency to resume duties, without let or hindrance at the Agency’s Asaba, Delta State office if this mortely crowd of Bini ethnic protesters remain adamant to reasons of equity, good conscience and peaceful neighbourliness,
The Delta North Initiative For Equity, Justice And Good Governance, call on the Ministry of Water Resources as the Coordinating Ministry of the nation’s River Basins Development Authorities, the Security Agencies to immediately restore order and conducive working environment in the Benin BORBDA office or in the alternative direct all Staff of the Agency to resume work at the Agency’s nearby Delta State Office in Asaba, Delta State.
FOR THE RECORDS, the Managing Directors that have served the BORBDA are as follows :
1) Prince I. A. Eweka( Edo State) 1977-1982
2) Mr Tukur Ahmed (Kaduna State) 1982-1984
(3)Chief J. F. O. Jegede (Ekiti State) 1985-1986
4) Chief E. C. Olumese (Edo State) 1986-1989
5) Engr C. O. Adegbilero (Ondo State) 1989-1990
6) Dr . G. E. Oteze (Edo State) 1990-1999
7) Mr I. R. Emefiene (Delta State) 1999-2005
8) Engr A. C. Ijasan (Ekiti State) 2005-2009
(9)Mr C.I. Okpaleke (Imo State) 2009-2011
10) Mr A. A. Osula (Edo State) January 2011
11) Engr A. L. Ijasan (Ekiti State) 2011-2013
12) Mr E. O. Mafayeyomi (Ondo State) 2013-2016
13) Engr S. O. Ahmed (Edo State) 2016-2024
The above record shows that Edo State has occupied the position of Managing Director 5 times, Ekiti State, 3 times
Ondo State, 2 times
Delta State once (1 time )
If there is any group from the BORBDA catchment areas to protest, it is obviously NOT THE BINI OR EDO STATE. This madness must stop or be stopped.
