By Emma Amaize

WARRI—THE National Coordinator of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, Mr Sheriff Mulade, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to stop chasing ex-militant leaders and perceived corrupt political enemies, and pay attention to the massive development of Niger Delta, this year.

Mulade, who is also the Chairman of Kokodiagbene community, Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, in a statement, lamented what he described as “the criminal neglect of the Niger Delta region over the years.”

He said: ”Let President Buhari focus on the overall development of the Niger Delta region in 2017 and minimize chasing ex- militants and perceived corrupt politicians to sustain the relative peace in the area. We  have observed with total dismay the endless chase of perceived corrupt political enemies and ex-militants and I appeal to the President to focus on the development of the region to give hope and sense of belonging to the suffering people of the region.

“The President should come out with the master plan for the development of the region. Precious time has been spent chasing ex-militants and perceived corrupt politicians, who are not in the good book of this present administration. Let us channel energy, time and resources from now on for the development of the region, rather than wasting time on those things that will bring more lamentations to the people.”

He pleaded with the President to address the lingering issues surrounding the smooth take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko in Gbaramatu Kingdom, saying everything should be done by the President for full take off of academic activities in the university.

He asserted: “This University has the potential of opening up development of the Niger Delta region. The University is a laudable project, it’s take off will give the deprived people of the region a sense of belonging and participation and it is my appeal therefore to the President to show concern over its  smooth take off.”