Beaf:

Jonathan hasn't gaffed. The shorelines need to be bolstered first, only then can dredging can begin. We are educated people lets not fall for cheap propaganda.
Some are saying both can be done simultaneously. How?
How much sense does it make to start dredging (which will immediately begin washing away shorelines and destroying coastal ecologies) only to begin strengthening shorelines and ecologies after they have been washed away? It just doesn't make sense.

mikeansy:

Ibime

You ecological argument I must say is very ill thought out and most very unfortunate. It is more than anything driven by selfishness

Afam:

My sentiments exactly. It seems that no matter how we try to appear objective that tribal stuff will always have a way of coming out and manifesting in our comments.

Ibime:

What is ill thought out about recommendations that Independent experts have made in their EIA?

Are the Independent experts also speaking from tribal sentiment?

Infact, you lot are the only ones speaking from tribal sentiment here.


I dont think anyone here on Nairaland knows the possible repercussions of any work done on the Niger. . . . in the meantime, please lets stick the opinions of the experts.


If that means the project is delayed for one year, then so be it. . . . nobody should try and be reckless here. . . I would remind y'all that certain Igbo communities such as Omoku are potentially affected as well.

henry101:

Dnt just listen?
Who r they suppose to just listen2 if I may ask?

Onlytruth:

Everybody calm down 

South east is still behind Jonathan. His staunchest supporters in the FEC are Dora Akunyili and Ojo Maduekwe (both from south east). So any thought of a quick south east back off from Jonathan is pure idiocy.[/b]He made a gaffe but has since corrected his mistakes. Enough said.

Onlytruth:

When Jonathan was emerging acting president, I was concerned that he may take advise from the wrong people.
When he did this, I smelled Obasanjo's divide and rule.  I knew it won't be long before he is called to order. Who has been advising him? I know there is enough money to do both projects, why did he decide to pull funds from the dredging program?
I would get good advisers from the south east and south south for Jonathan. For you to lead Nigeria, you must have the backing of at least one of the major tribes. You can't succeed if you alienate your closest neighbor in your first lines of action.

sjeezy8:

what are all these nonse comments im readin you see northerners have already started to divide SS and SE.

The point im making is he should put money in the ND as all tribes in the SS including igbo can benefit from it.

mikeansy:

Our support for Jonathan is based on justice and fairplay and not based on cynical politics.

If all he ever wanted was to be a weak 12months acting President then by all means he can carry on as he so pleases.

THERE IS NO NEED ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL

mikeansy:

He should put money in all of Nigeria
If he thinks that he can cancel progressive projects anyhow without considering consequences then we are happy to be divided. Our support for Jonathan is based on justice and fairplay and not based on cynical politics.

If all he ever wanted was to be a weak 12months acting President then by all means he can carry on as he so pleases.

THERE IS NO NEED ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL

ndu_chucks:

Ibime, I agree with your point of view in this case.  Jonathan has not stopped the said project as reported by the OP but only transferred N19 billion out of the N36 billion special intervention funds for the dredging of River Niger to shore line protection and land reclamation in the Niger Delta. Jonathan's action is very prudent and correct.

It is noteworthy that the usual suspects are some of the loudest critics of Jonathan here on NL. If I point out the obvious, they will start ranting about some divide and rule b.ullsh.it.

As I've always stated that the people of the ND and the almanjiris of the North are the most marginalized Nigerians.

Any presidential action that is designed to address these people's plight should not be politicized but praised. Jonathan has the executive powers to do what he did.  Truth be told, the money is from sales of oil from the ND area anyway.

Jonathan should continue to do what is right. Let those who are not progressives go and jump in River Benue. Haven't the people of the ND been violated enough? Haba people.  Jonathan has not even been in office for 1 month, give him a chance.  

The government and the oil companies have done nothing to address the ecological disaster in the ND, yet you people are criticizing Jonathan for taking the necessary step to avoid another disaster. Shame on the likes of Onlytruth and his brothers who continue to allow their bigotery to becloud their judgement. Rakumin dajij. 

ndu_chucks:

I submit to you that the people of ND represent the proverbial Peter in your statement above. There is indeed no reason to continue to rob them willy nilly.

In 1953, Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, then Nigerian Minister of Transport, visited the United States and observed how the Mississippi River was contributing to its economic development. He became convinced that the Niger and Benue rivers could play a similar role in Nigeria. the Lower Niger has been dredged twice, first in 1958. Due to lack of maintenance, the entire dredged channel has silted up.

ndu_chucks:

I submit to you that the people of ND represent the proverbial Peter in your statement above. There is indeed no reason to continue to rob them willy nilly.

sjeezy8:

ok justice and fair play abi?

its not justice or fairplay when those in the north dont meet the demands of their southern counter parts in terms of true federalism and such.

When you talk of robbing peter to pay paul- I dont know what you mean because the money should have beeeeen going to the ND for land reclamation. Theres no needs for the SE and SS to divide themselves over something that was only brought up as a concern because it also benefits the north.

se+ss= good
se+north= terrible

Northern nigeria is tooo much- I can see it now

mikeansy:

Is the North no longer part of Nigeria?

All I am saying is that its possible to do both. Dredge River Niger and shore up the coastal lines too. Whats the point cutting off your nose to spite your face?

If Jonathan engages in divisive politics he will end up a 12months weak acting President.

sjeezy8:

they dont listen to anyone maybe ojukwku

as of right they should take some of objs advice because he knows how to break northern hegemony and get a ss or se as president of Nigeria. Most (not all) Igbo people tend to be too boisterous and somewhat too honest and WAY too forward, when they dont like something they say it immediately without any contstraint.

you cant do that in politics and esp in Nigeria that can cause a civil war. Jonathan is playing it cool taking advice from Obj and the US and britain. and its getting him far- no one has died and theres no civil war.
the same ojo that took the fec for a ride aound saudia arabia, to thank the king - he knewsyaradua was coming back without telling his fellow ministers.

The same Dora that lets out too much info.  that lady will get him killed FAST- if she doesnt mind her tongue. Jonathan almost locked her out for letting out info about him meeting turai.  it was suppose to be a secret meeting this one now told the whole Nigeria lmfao

haha I dont know why people think with their ethnic caps on you be real fool mehn.

You must be calling yourself an idio t because you posted the artcle saying that Jonathan is taking orders from Obj to cause division.
abi you get bad memory

I knew some folks would fall for it - most southerners are dumb

Onlytruth:

It is idiots like you and your brother Obasanjo that is trying to divide the south east and south south.
Having said that, I restate that Jonathan should RUN AWAY from Obasanjo FAST!
The body language of northerners (reading military movements and others) show a region preparing for anything. I pity anyone standing near Obansanjo because that guy is in their sights.

ndu_chucks:

I apologize if I misunderstood you.  Jonathan has not stopped the said dredging project as reported by the OP but only transferred N19 billion out of the N36 billion special intervention funds for the dredging of River Niger to shore line protection and land reclamation in the Niger Delta. Jonathan's action is very prudent and correct.

Both projects you mentioned above will be carried out

Onlytruth:

Why do you love rigmarole and spin so much. So, what is the transfer (correctly read by many as "diversion" about when you can simply "assign" funds to it.? What is the whole noise by your fellow northerners about then? Maybe you should go and explain that to them so that they can shut up. The thief crying alongside his victim.

SapeleGuy:

My brother you have nothing to fear but fear itself. First of all there is no unified north - the middle belt and those from plateau are not with them, secondly - the cabal have done their worst, dem no fit do OBJ or anybody else nothing.

Jonathan has outmanouvered them and they don't know it, he will be sworn in properly in due time.

ndu_chucks:

You are fighting a losing battle on this issue. Go and find a more honourable cause to rant about. I repeat, Jonathan took the responsible action here.

I'm very disappointed in your stance here. Olodo

It is simple, if Jonathan stays away from OBJ. He fails

I think if anything he should aggressively sought advice from OBJ and make his own choice on what he feels is good for his reputation and that of Nigeria.

mikeansy:

It is simple, if Jonathan stays away from OBJ. He fails

I think if anything he should aggressively sought advice from OBJ and make his own choice on what he feels is good for his reputation and that of Nigeria.

mikeansy:

If you ask Nigerians to choose between the last 3years and the previous 4years preceeding it. I don't know about you but I will choose the previous 4years.

The whole OBJ is the source of all our problems is a very big myth.

This is to correct the false impression being created in some quarters that the Acting President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, allegedly diverted the sum of N19billion from the River Niger Dredging project, into shore protection and land reclamation projects in the Niger Delta. The other variant of the story is that Dr. Jonathan has out rightly cancelled the dredging of the River Niger, which was flagged off September last year by President Umaru Musa Yar’adua.

Both stories are entirely false, and are being sponsored by desperate persons who are determined to tamper with the peace and unity of our dear country.

THE FACTS
There is no relationship whatsoever between the River Niger dredging project and the proposed shore protection and land reclamation projects proposed for the Niger Delta states. These projects are part of the post Amnesty projects planned for the region, and are to be funded from a “ring fenced” fund dedicated to the Niger Delta amnesty programme.

In the instant case, the sum of N5.5 billion, part of the dedicated amnesty fund under the 2009 supplementary appropriation, was set aside by the Ministry of Transportation for improvement of waterways and related issues in the Niger Delta. The ministry therefore proposed to dredge a channel through the River Nun, taking off from Onya in Delta through Odoni, Kalama, Tombia, Yenagoa, Okodogu, Okokiri, Nembe ( with a spur to Brass), Apiama, Ndukiri, Sand Village, Ekulama, Idama, Tombiabok(with a spur to Degema), Bobake, Ndorokiri, Obekiri, Yekiri, Okungba up to Port Harcourt.

The total cost of this project was estimated at N19 billion, and was set out as follows:

1. Onya (Delta) to Nembe (Bayelsa), with a spur to Brass.
2. Nembe to Port Harcourt(120 kilometres), with a spur to Degema (Rivers)

By this arrangement the entire funds would have been spent on Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers, with the bulk going to Bayelsa, the home state of the Acting President. But in reviewing the decision, even more states of the Niger Delta, notably Ondo and Akwa Ibom, now stand to benefit.

Another factor that guided the decision to take a second look at the plan was the fact that an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was yet to be carried out, and for a project of this magnitude that affects navigation and the ecology of aquatic organisms, an EIA is mandatory.

However, from conception through completion and approval, an EIA would take between one and a half to two years to complete. So, should funds earmarked for urgent post amnesty intervention projects be left unutilised for two years even as the Niger Delta Amnesty was threatening to unravel before our eyes?

There was a further consideration. Even with an EIA, the deepening of the channel would result in a faster flow, and worsen river bank erosion for communities on the route. This has always been a significant challenge for riverine development planning in the Niger Delta.

Therefore, in his usual consultative manner, Dr. Jonathan invited the governors of the Niger Delta states and asked them to consult with the people and find a way forward.

When the governors returned for the next meeting, their position was clear: some of the greatest challenges confronting the Niger Delta riverine communities were shore protection and land reclamation, since many of them are steadily being washed away by erosion. There was also complete agreement that the Federal Government moves quickly to consolidate the gains of the amnesty, and be seen to be delivering on its commitments to the people of the area.

Following the presentation of the governors, a unanimous decision was taken to embark on a vigorous effort to protect the shores of vulnerable communities, and reclaim lands that have been washed away.

The Acting President subsequently directed the Finance Minister to begin a virement process to move the N5.5 billion provided in the supplementary appropriation for this project, under the Amnesty initiative, to the Niger Delta ministry. This is a detailed administrative process that would naturally have to pass through the National Assembly before it is concluded.

We wish to restate that there was no time we announced that the dredging of the River Niger has been stopped. Indeed, that project remains on course, and site reports indicate that things are going on just fine.

This gigantic N36 billion project takes off from Forcados, through Warri and Onitsha, and terminates in Baro, Niger State. We are totally committed to completing and delivering it as one of the priority projects of this government.

Ima Niboro
SSA Media and Publicity to the Acting President
28th February, 2010.