By Emma Amaize, Regional Editor, South-South

TWO-TIME  Member of the Delta State House of Assembly, former Commissioner and currently, Chairman, Sapele Local Government Area, Delta State, Hon. Ejaife Omizu Odebala,  spoke on how the oil communities, the anti-corruption battle of President Muhammadu Buhari, the continued political relevance of former governor of the state, Chief James Ibori and the greatest challenge of local government council chairmen in the state. Excerpts

Hon. Ejaife Omizu Odebala

Building peace in oil communities

I will like to appeal to the Niger Delta people to allow peace to reign because the level of kidnapping, criminal activities and sea piracy has to be addressed to allow people move freely in the waterways. It is time for everybody here to be our brother’s keeper because we have travelled abroad and nobody harasses us there, so, why should there be kidnapping here. That scourge should be wiped out completely; nobody is supporting it because it is a wrong thing to do.    If these things are eradicated, it will make the Nigerian Maritime University, NMU, in Okerenkoko, for instance to shine because if you look at maritime world in overseas, there are great developments there and same should be applicable here in Nigeria.

The Export processing Zone, EPZ, Ugborodo, is very interesting too, it will attract investment. I also want to appeal to the people in that axis to allow peace to reign because the company will bring in a lot of business opportunities.

I am also an investor too; I believe that an enabling environment is the best, before now, the area was lying fallow and now that effort is being made to bring in both local and foreign investors, our people should give peace a chance. Another thing we should avoid is unnecessary interference from people, who claim to be leaders, community youths and chiefs; they should avoid it totally because it inhibits development. No attempt should be made to restrain development.

Above all, the issue of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) must be followed cautiously. I am not against MoU, but it should be implemented in a peaceful manner.

One of the greatest security challenges we have now is the issue of kidnapping. Some time it reduces and increases again. But I believe firmly that government will overcome the situation no matter the situation.

Govt should respect court pronouncement

Yes, President Muhammadu Buhari is fighting many battles for now;    we do not know the levels of corruption that he is fighting. The actions of the anti-graft agency are mind-boggling and embarrassing to the nation. However, the only problem is that there must be respect for the rule of law.

James Ibori’s continued relevance

We are very much excited that the former governor of Delta state, Chief James Ibori, did not die, we are thankful to God Almighty that he came back hale and hearty. Remember he is a politician for life; he can never stay away from politics. He will determine who is who in 2019 political dispensation. He is a leader anytime any day. People,    who are aspiring for any political office should go to him for counseling; people who equally want one thing or the other should go to him. He has a legacy and a knack to deal with all people including supporters and opponents. He advises you rightly even if you are not supporting him. He is still a friend even when you are against him. That is the difference between Ibori and other political leaders.

I tell you frankly, Ibori takes firm decisions. His firm decision is with the intention of giving it a human face. He does not get excited and show off after beating you in election. He shows humility and will draw you closer and make you see reason to develop a large heart and be calm. Besides, he will also think of ways to involve you in the process. It is not entirely so with other Nigerians.

2019

He cannot contest in 2019 because of the judgment against him until after 10 years. That is the position of the law, but he will definitely support any political interest. Politicians are already beating war drums, is it not too early to start house-to- house campaign? Politics is like the biblical doctrine, which is neither for the weak nor for the strong. We have have had political processes in which people who started late emerged winners and those who started early are left behind. and we begin to see that people, who came very late, are elected while those who started the race earlier are left behind.

Leaders should determine PDP crisis

For us in Delta state, we support democratic structure, definitely there are problems, especially the court judgment that ruled in favour of Modu Sheriff, but in line with the political party, Markafi is recognized by the national body. My appeal is that as children in the party, our fathers up there should settle the matter, but the way they brought Modu Sheriff as chairman of the party is somehow confusing.

My handicap as LG chair

I am a local government chairman and for 27 months and for this period, we have only gotten salary for 11 months and that is the position of local government councils all over the state. In fact, things are very difficult, but it is not the fault of anybody. The allocation that is coming in is slow, despite this; we are making efforts in the area of internally generated revenue.

The state government gives preferences to primary school teachers by paying their salary promptly. It is clear that education is the bedrock of the state; hence the governor takes payment of salary to teachers promptly. But being kind-hearted he also pays certain percentage to Local government.