Why Ijaw nation was absent at Ogoni Clean-up flag off—INC

THE Ijaw National Congress, INC, has said that the Ijaw nation was absent at the flag off of clean up of oil spill in Ogoniland of Rivers state because of the challenges faced by Ijaw communities who were caught in the web of the bombing of oil assets and killing of security forces by the militants in Niger Delta waterways.

Dr. Bello Orubebe, National Secretary of the Boma Obuoforibo led INC disclosed this at a briefing in Warri, Delta state where the Ijaw nation called on the federal government and the international community to come to the aid of Gbaramatu Ijaws who were reportedly displaced and trapped in the bush following military invasion of the communities in search of militants.

Orubebe said, “We identify with Ogoni people. They are our brothers, their pains are our pains, but you don’t expect us to go there in this trying time when federal forces have sacked our people from their communities and several persons are trapped in the bush with no food or water.”
“Ogoni clean up is a happy development, but do you expect the Ijaw people to be happy when our people are internally displaced persons. We are calling on federal government to withdraw its army and mobilise its emergency agencies as well as the international communities to come with relief materials to assist our people.”

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo flanked by ( l-r) minister of state for environment, minister of environment; Hajia Amina Mohammed; Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike and Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha at the launch of the clean-up of Ogoniland and other oil impacted communities in the Niger/Delta