The Ugborodo community youth leadership in Warri South West Local Government Area, Delta State, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to dismiss Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. They argue that the minister has failed to revitalize the marine sector and enhance the country’s revenue generation profile, thus perpetuating an overreliance on crude oil as the primary economic driver.
In an open letter signed by the community’s president, Mr. Wilson Ejeh, and Public Relations Officer, Mr. David Mamah, the youth expressed frustration over the minister’s lack of action on key issues. They highlighted the minister’s indifference to promises made to dredge the Escravos Bar Mouth and Warri River, which are crucial for allowing larger vessels access to Delta Ports and revitalizing commercial activities in the region.
The letter emphasized the adverse impact of the minister’s inaction, noting that vessels navigating the Escravos Bar Mouth often face grounding issues due to outdated NNPCL pipelines. This situation has led to increased transportation costs, affecting the over 20 petrol depots in Delta State and placing a financial burden on consumers, especially those in riverine communities who face higher fuel prices compared to urban areas.
The youth leadership criticized previous governments for corruption related to Escravos Bar Mouth, claiming that contracts for minor maintenance work have neglected the real issues of pipeline relocation and dredging.
Despite President Tinubu’s campaign promises to develop Warri, Burutu, Sapele, and Koko ports, the letter alleges that current officials, including Minister Oyetola, have given the impression that the administration is more interested in advancing ports in Lagos State.
In their demands, the Ugborodo community youth requested the following actions from the President:
- Immediate dismissal of Minister Adegboyega Oyetola and appointment of a competent successor.
- Personnel restructuring within the Nigerian Ports Authority to address their perceived indifference to Delta Ports’ development.
- Immediate relocation of NNPCL pipelines that obstruct vessels at the Escravos Bar Mouth.
- Prompt dredging of the Escravos Bar Mouth and Warri River.
The letter concludes with a warning that if these demands are not met within two weeks from the date of publication, the community may not be able to guarantee smooth operations of multinational oil and gas companies in their area.