Right activist, Agberen backs ongoing protest at NNPCL HQ, Abuja, count pains

A human right activist, Comrade(Amb.) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen today backed the ongoing protest by Niger Delta youths and representatives of ethnic groups at the Headquarters of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Abuja. 

He said, "I am totally in support of it. We cannot afford to have abundant resources with minimal benefits, which are disproportionately distributed to a select group who are not even from the region. 

"All the oil company headquarters are located in Lagos, while Hausa and Yoruba people occupy over 80% of the company's jobs, leaving Niger Delta youths with little or nothing."

According to Agberen, "As rich oil-producing regions, we have been relegated to guarding oil pipelines, working as gatekeepers, cleaners, and labourers for resources in our own regions."

He added that, 'We even suffer the effects of crude oil spillages and damages, including pollution to the environments. Despite being largely overlooked, the Niger Delta indigents do not feel the impacts of initiatives, schemes, and other benefits."

He advocated that the Federal Government, through NNPCL, should prioritize and engage key players from the Niger Delta Region over Western and Northern representation in administrative processes.

He pointed out that, "there is an urgent concern and demand to relocate the headquarters of certain oil companies to the region. Some demands, such as this one, should not require debate contemplation."

Comrade Agberen also condemned the excessive greed for money and power exhibited by the majority of leaders from communities in the Niger Delta Regions. 

"Most of the time, opportunities are compromised in exchange for financial gain, while the indigenous people of that region remain unemployed and impoverished. 

"These habits are not limited to kingdoms, chiefs, president generals, and chairmen of communities, but also extends to state governments, which often face similar allegations.

“If not for the mouse that opens the door, the snakes wouldn’t invade the house.” 

He insisted that, "We must first purge our consciences of these things for the beauty of the entire Niger Delta Region. Otherwise, these agitations will be ineffectual."