A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs has urged the people of Rivers State to show love to President Goodluck Jonathan.
Chief Dumo made the remark in an interview with journalists shortly after a one day Mini National Mainstream Coalition (RMC) Port Harcourt.
The politician stated that it is important that Rivers people show love to Dr. Goodluck Jonathan not because he is the president but he is also a Port Harcourt man. The political gladiator explained that the people of Rivers State should express their love towards the president so that he will know that majority of the people still love him.
He call the people to do everything possible to standby the President as the 2015 election draws closer.
On whether this particular conference will not end the same way others ended, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs tasked the people to insist on the decision taken at the conference because according to him they will come to the people to ask for mandate.
He posited that the National conference comes at a critical time because it is only nine states that contribute greatly to the federal allocation while other states are chronic parasites and the conference should be able to address issues of revenue generation from states.
The grassroots politician said the economy of Nigeria is growing but the Human Development Index is very low which can be compared with Haiti and Bangladesh and suggested that the conference will be use to discuss issues that affect the country.
He suggested a think tank group from Rivers State that will assist the Rivers delegates in the area of research, information and articulation of facts by the smooth deliberations at the conference by Rivers State delegates.
Chief Lulu Briggs lamented that currently Rivers State seems to lose out from the political center a situation that has not happened since the creation of Rivers State. “Now River State is operating as if they are not with the federal government and we seem to lose out”.
Also speaking, the chairman board of NURSDRA, Chief Landsloth Ayaya said the conference is important because of the opportunity it affords the people to come together and articulate their views.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference the people of Rivers State resolved as follows: that oil blocs should be distributed evenly to all that we wish to control or resources in the state and have fiscal federalism. That we want to own our lands and want the Land Use Act repealed.
That state should have powers to create the number of local government areas they can manage. That there is a need to diversity the economy from oil and create wealth from other sector. Others are, that we want our polluted environment in Ogoni, Bonny, Ogba, Kalabari, Eleme and everywhere within Rivers State affected by oil exploration activities to be cleaned up.
Obnoxious laws such as petroleum Act, Land Use Act, Oil pipeline Act, Mineral resources Act etc that inhibit the right of our people be expourged and the Petroleum Industry Bill should be passed, while pledging their support for President Jonathan come 2015 general election.
The occasion was chaired by elder Gomba Osarollor. Some of the dignitaries at the event were Dr. Benneth Birabi, Chief Bekinbo Soberekon, Dr. Sofiri Peterside, Chief A. K Horsfall, Hon. Elemchukwu Ogbonwo among others. ###
Pius Dukor
