By Mohammed Mohammed
The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), on Thursday urged President Muhammadu Buhari, not to renew the appointment of Engr. Simbi Wabote, as Executive Secretary,
Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for another 4 year term even his present tenure winds to an end.
Jomo Gbomo, Spokesperson for MEND in a statement made available to the media in the same vein advanced reasons why the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, not to renew Engr. Wabote’s tenure.
On why the outgoing Executive Secretary should not be reappointed, Gbomo, said: “Our reasons for the recommendation are in accordance with Section 77 (e) of the extant Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content and Development Act 2010.
“Specifically, MEND notes with regret the outgoing Executive Secretary’s penchant for dabbling into politics and thereby undermining critical stakeholders of the Niger Delta region in the exercise of his duties.”
According to him, MEND was a key player in the establishment of the NCDMB and particularly, the tough decision to cite the headquarters at Yenagoa in Bayelsa State, he stressed.
He said the former Executive Secretaries of the Board including Denzel Amagbe Kentebe, duly recognized MEND for the group’s immense role and enervating effort at birthing the NCDMB.
“However, under Engr. Simbi Wabote, MEND leaders, including Henry and Charles Okah have been completely undermined.” The Spokesperson explained.
On the down play of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s pivotal role in the establishment of NCDMB, he added: “But by far the worst victim of Wabote’s official indiscretion is former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the man who personally signed the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content and Development Act into law and gave approval for the citing of the NCDMB headquarters at Yenagoa.” Gbomo, said.
According to him, history was made in April 22, 2010, when the former president signed the Nigerian Content Act into Law, adding that by that singular effort, over 50 years of capital flight of $380 billion, 2 million job losses, amongst others were addressed.