Delta North Initiative condemns protest at BORBDA, demands immediate action

The Delta North Initiative for Equity, Justice and Good Governance has condemned the ongoing protests by the Benin ethnic group in Edo State, who are demanding that the Managing Director of the Benin Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA) be appointed from their Edo South zone.

In a statement signed by Mr. Mathias Agbalor, Chairman, Barrister Anthony Ossai, Secretary, and Chief Kenechukwu Momyei, Publicity Secretary, the initiative described the protests as “unacceptable”, pointing out that Edo State had already held the position of Managing Director five times since the agency’s formation.

The group argued that the BORBDA was a federal agency established to serve the interests of four states – Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Delta – and that it’s time for other states to have a turn at leadership.

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They noted that the immediate past Managing Director, who served for eight years, was also from Edo State.

They called on the Ministry of Water Resources and security agencies to restore order and ensure the agency’s new management esumes duties without hindrance.

They also urged the protesters to stop their “madness” and allow the agency to function properly.

The group warned that any attempt to covet the fortunes of the agency by the Benin ethnic protesters would be vehemently resisted, as it would be unfair to other states that had been marginalized.

The statement noted that the past Managing Directors of BORBDA include: Prince I. A. Eweka (Edo State) – 1977-1982, Mr. Tukur Ahmed (Kaduna State) – 1982-1984, Chief J. F. O. Jegede (Ekiti State) – 1985-1986, Chief E. C. Olumese (Edo State) – 1986-1989, Engr. C. O. Adegbilero (Ondo State) – 1989-1990, Dr. G. E. Oteze (Edo State) – 1990-1999, Mr. I. R. Emefiene (Delta State) – 1999-2005, Engr. A. C. Ijasan (Ekiti State) – 2005-2009, Mr. C. I. Okpaleke (Imo State) – 2009-2011, Mr. A. A. Osula (Edo State) – January 2011, Engr. A. L. Ijasan (Ekiti State) – 2011-2013, Mr. E. O. Mafayeyomi (Ondo State) – 2013-2016, and Engr. S. O. Ahmed (Edo State) – 2016-2024.

This record, the group said, showed that Edo State had occupied the position of Managing Director five times, Ekiti State three times, Ondo State twice, and Delta State once.

The Initiatives emphasized that if any group from the BORBDA catchment areas should protest, it was obviously not the Benin or Edo State.

This madness, it contended, “must stop or be stopped.”