By Felix Khanoba
A new beginning of massive development in Nigeria’s oil producing states was on Monday 21, August, 2023 signalled with the swearing-in of Engr Abubakar Momoh as the Minister of Niger Delta Development by President Bola Tinubu.
Momoh, who is reputed as a ‘master deliverer’ of projects, is now assigned to the strategic ministry, which also boasts of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a parastatal under it.
For some who may not know the political background of the Edo-born grassroot politician, Momoh’s penchant for ensuring execution of viable and impactful projects is legendary.
Momoh was nicknamed ‘MoreMore (projects)’ by the people of Etsako in Edo State when he held sway as a member of the House of Representatives (2011 to 2015) as projects attracted by him to the Federal Constituency stood tall in all the 32 wards in the Federal Constituency, a record that is yet to be broken.
His easy-going lifestyle as well as his zero tolerance for corruption which has endeared him to both the rich and poor, has now ignited hope that he will do wonders as Niger Delta Minister if given the necessary support and cooperation, as Momoh’s passion for service to the people knows no bound.
The compassionate passion prompted him to quit a flourishing career in an oil company where he once worked as a trainee engineer as he opted to serve his people directly; starting from a humble position of a ward councilor, to local government chairman, to a member of Edo State House of Assembly and to a two-time member of the House of Representatives; all thanks to his sterling and non-blemished performances.
Unlike Zimbabwean nationalist Benjamin Burombo’s pithy observation that “Each time I want to fight for African rights, I use only one hand — because the other hand is busy trying to keep away Africans who are fighting me, ” Momoh uses two hands to fight for the good of the people irrespective of the intensity of counterattacks he needs to fend off.
No surprise that he has already assured the people of Niger Delta that no stone would be left unturned to ensure major projects that have sparked series of agitations in the region get the desired attention of the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government.
“I want to guarantee our collaborative effort with relevant stakeholders and government bodies to realize Mr. President’s vision, particularly the East-West road project, which holds crucial significance in the region’s development,” the Imiegba-North Ibie born political bigwig said during a welcome ceremony at the Niger Delta ministry on Monday in Abuja.
Few hours after the remarkable pronouncement by Engr Momoh, stakeholders from the nine Niger Delta states were on hand to throw their full support behind him during another reception organised in his honour in Abuja hours .
Traditional rulers, Ijaw Youth Congress Worldwide led by Jonathan Lokpobiri, various ethnic associations, ex-governors, serving and former senators, other lawmakers from states and national assemblies, who gathered at Edens Garden, venue of the reception, described Momoh’s appointment as a welcome development and one that will wipe away the tears of Niger Deltans if he is accorded all the needed support.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole, who spoke glowingly of Momoh during the event, said the Ezomo of Three Ibie Kingdom and Udi of Auchi Sacred Kingdom, is a known performer and a loyal supporter of Tinubu, and will not fail on the new assignment.
His words : “Let me appreciate Engineer Momoh; it is a big honour, but this is an honour well deserved. Momoh has been in the APC since 2007. He was in AC, ACN, APC. And when this particular phase of our political struggle started, Momoh asked me for direction, and I told him Asiwaju is the way to go.
“He is not an emergency supporter of the President, he believes in him and worked hard during the campaigns and did everything to work together with the rest of us to deliver the votes that we got.
“I know Momoh is eager to make a statement that will make our President happy – Niger Delta people deserve to get value from the oil that is extracted from that part of the country. We shall never be the proverbial fish that lacks clean water to drink. That is what will ultimately give us joy and make our President happy….
“(Engr Momoh) I know you will perform. May this government be credited as the one that fixed what others could not fix. This will not be a government of lamentation but one that will do what others failed to do. Let us resolve to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue to have the energy, the vision, the courage, and above all, the open mind to give every Nigerian a sense of belonging.”
For the people of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta, Edo, Ondo, Abia, Imo and Cross River states- it is truly a new dawn, the task before you now is to ensure the enabling environment as Momoh is fully ready to unleash people-oriented projects in the Niger Delta.
Felix Khanoba, a public affairs commentator and journalist, writes from Abuja.
He can be reached through felixkhanoba@gmail.com
