Jonathan Taking South-East For Granted -Bishop Nwankpa

               

A Pentecostal cleric and Founder, Chapel of Faith Bible Assembly International, Bishop Emeka Nwankpa has warned on the dangers of  neglecting the people of the South -East in the distribution of social amenities and appointment of top functionaries by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Answering questions from journalists in Onitsha yesterday, Bishop Nwankpa  stated that the southeast zone has not benefitted much from the present administration at the federal level, citing instances of the “lame-duck” Onitsha seaport project which he said was a political weapon to woe Igbos in Anambra state who are predominantly commercial – oriented.

He lamented that up till now the Onitsha axis of the River Niger has not been properly dredged to make way for full plying of merchant boats and cargo barges on the water ways which he said had rendered the river port an economic liability  three years after it was commissioned.

Bishop Nwankpa emphasised that the much publicized Onitsha second Niger Bridge was not purely a Federal Government affair as it was under a Public Private Partnership (PPP) unlike other equally cost expensive bridges built by the Federal Government across the country.

He, however, called on President Jonathan to appreciate the immense support he has so for received from the people of the Southeast who gave him about 99% of their votes during the 2011 Presidential election which he still enjoys today, stressing that it was still early for the president to correct the injustices  meted out on Igbos.

While commenting on the new ministers who were recently sworn- in by the President, Bishop Nwankpa declared:

“Don’t you see another injustice going on against the Igbos in Nigeria. Out of the four ministers none is from the southeast while other tribes had a fair share”.

“Former Minister for Aviation, Stella Oduah was removed and there has not been a replacement from the Southeast to fill that gap after several months while other zones are quietly enjoying the quota of the South east”.

“When the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Azubuike Ihejirika was sacked no replacement from the South east to fill that gap “.

"Don’t you see how the President is gradually but systematically relegating Igbos to the background despite our enormous support for his administration. As our neighbour and in-law we will not throw him away, he lamented.”                      

                       

From  Afam Aminu Chimezie