I have been in Bayelsa state visiting with the people and commissioning several projects completed by the state government. In the cause of the state visit, I interacted with citizens and other stakeholders of host communities who raised issues regarding environmental pollution arising from oil industry activities. Now let me state that I am committed to helping all host communities get a better deal and this is not limited to the Niger Delta. One of the first things I did when I assumed by the grace of God and the Nigerian people this office as President of Nigeria was to sign the HYPPADEC Bill in to law in order to halt the years of neglect suffered by the host communities to the power industry in Niger, Kebbi, Kogi and Kwara states and enable them get something from the resources that God in His infinite wisdom has blessed them with. I believe that the people of these states states are as deserving as people any where of some form of derivation and I will continue to take steps to ease their burdens occasioned by the environmental issues caused by the power industry.
I further want to seize this opportunity to assure host communities all over Nigeria and pass on this message-You are not alone, I Goodluck Jonathan feel your pain because I grew up in a host community. To those who are victims of floods, please also know that I feel your pains because my own village was perennially affected by floods. I have walked in your shoes and I know where it pinches. So whether it is the host communities of a dam ( I am glad I went to Zamfara, Sokoto, Lagos and Ogun to see for myself the ravages caused by over flowing dams) or a mine, I am fully convinced that in so far as your resources contribute to the income of the Federal Government, the government has a duty of care to make sure that you benefit from your God given resources.
From my knowledge of Nigeria every community is a host to one resource or the other. We all suffer from one form of environmental disaster or the other. I studied the environment and I worked for a time on finding solutions to environmental disasters and challenges. Disasters are painful experiences and we must stand together: one for all and all for one to tackle it whenever it occurs. So whether it is erosion in Southeastern Nigeria, or Desertification in Northern Nigeria or urban pollution in the Southwest, the government that I lead will be there with you in good times and in bad because that's what government in my view is there to do.
- GEJ
Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, October 25, 2010 at 4:51pm
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An unkept promises are synonymous to debts before God. May God help you!