07 September 2015, Yenagoa – Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Director-General, National Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Haruna Juoro, on his alleged vendatta mission.
President, IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said at a news conference in Yenagoa on Monday that Juoro was unleashing what he described as a ‘vendetta’ on the immediate past DG, Patrick Akpobolokemi, and other workers from the South-South extraction.
He said the development was beginning to threaten the emerging relationship between the region and the present administration at the centre.
He alleged that since Juoro took over as the NIMASA boss, “he has terminated almost all the programmes initiated by the former DG without cogent reasons.
“The appointment of the Acting DG is now being considered a vendetta against the people of the South-South.”
Eradiri urged Buhari to take a critical look at the actions of the Acting Director-General since assumption of office.
He stated, “The acting DG has stopped the funding and take-off of the Nigerian Maritime University in Delta State.
“He ordered the suspension of the funding of the 2,500 Federal Government Seafarer trainees which cut across over 20 states in Nigeria that are in foreign universities.
“Juoro has also directed that the admission into the Maritime School in Okoroba, Bayelsa State, is suspended and also stopped their programme to be funded by NIMASA.
“Akpobolokemi is on record as the best Director General the NIMASA has ever produced. He generated so much revenue for Nigeria and created lots of jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria. He also blocked the loopholes where Nigeria’s revenue was being siphoned from the maritime sector.”
On the recent claim by Juoro that his predecessor was corrupt, Eradiri argued that the former DG, Akpobolokemi, did not deserve the ongoing treatment by his successor.
He said the claim was diversionary, arguing how AKpobolokemi could be involved in any financial dealings without the knowledge of his Director of Finance and Administration, who is is now Acting DG.
He said the acting DG should face more proactive issues on the sustenance of good policies initiated by his predecessor instead of vilifying him.
Eradiri commended President Buhari over the decision to accede to the calls from the Niger Delta leaders on the prompt payment of tuition and monthly stipend to ex-militant youths studying in foreign institutions.
He equally lauded the President for quick response to various issues of concern raised by the people of the region on the status of foreign students under the Amnesty programme.
He also said the ongoing restructuring in the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation was commendable, but however advised that it should not be selective.
- Punch