Again, Ex-militant leaders under the auspices of Movement for the Actualization of the Dreams of Niger Deltans (MADND) yesterday solicited the help of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa and the State Commissioner of Police to wade into a lingering problem over the continual extortion of Money from Speed boats and Jetty Owners in Ogbe-Ijoh Market, saying it may lead to endless crisis if nothing is done immediately.
The Leaders who made this strong appeal through it’s National Coordinator, Mr. Josiah Oyakonghan (aka Commander Oyimi) in a press briefing, told journalists that their decision to intervene on behalf of the Speed Boats and Jetty Owners issue, followed a complain from them on the incesant harrasment during their daily river business by a certain Man claiming to be a consultant from Delta State government.
According to the Leaders; “We have decided to intervene in this matter because they cried to us that a certain Man has been forcing them to pay the sum of 20,000 to 50, 000 daily, claiming that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa gave him the mandate; and threatened that those who fail to comply will be severely dealt with.
“While we view this as a false claims by the said consultant, we however demand to hear from our Governor on the issue to know if truly he gave that contract to the self aclaimed consultant to milk riverine people of their little earnings.
“We want to state clearly that the Speed Boats and Jetty Owners will not pay such kind of huge money to any consultant. They demand to have a one on one discussion with our Governor to know if he truly mandated a consultant to milk those from the riverine communities of their little means of livelihood. That is why we have taken it upon ourselves as law abiding citizens and leaders in the area to take this matter strongly on behalf of the Speed Boats and Jetty Owners in order to avoid crisis. We do not need problem in the marine sector because it will be difficult for our people to survive should there be any crisis.
“We had initially raised alarm informing Governor and the Commissioner of Police that this issue is generating problem in the riverine communities. Now the problem has started so let Governor Okowa, the State Commissioner of Police and others quickly Intervene and arrest the situation before it turns into unending crisis.”
