Ajasin’s NDDC appointment constitutional –OSEGP

Some prominent indigenes of Ondo State have hailed the appointment of Mr. Tokunbo Ajasin as a board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

The prominent indigenes, under the aegis of Ondo State Eminent Persons Group, said the appointment was in line with the nation’s constitution.

OSEGP, made up investors, bankers, lawyers and stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, praised President Muhammadu Buhari for being dispassionate in making the appointment.

A statement by the OSEGP National President, Banjo Alabi said Buhari chose a noble path in selecting Ajasin over selfish and parochial interests of a group.

Alabi said, “The appointment is unique because this is one of the few occasions that an eminently qualified management professional has been appointed to represent Ondo State as an oil producing area. An ‘area’ as stated under the enabling NDDC Act means a state.

“For us, President Buhari has chosen honorable path in selecting Ajasin over selfish and parochial interests of a group.

“It is important to remind all of us that oil is a mineral which is under the control and management of the Federal Government as stipulated in the constitution.

 “Oil is indisputably considered a national resource, not a resource belonging to a particular ethnic group. Therefore, the President has the responsibility to nominate the right and qualified candidate to represent Ondo State. The slot is not for Ilejes as claimed some people.”

While stating that the current Minister of State for Niger Delta, Prof. Cladius Daramola, hails from the Southern Senatorial part of Ondo State, Alabi said equity demands that other part of the state should benefit from the Federal Government’s appointments.

He said, “The demand by some people from the coastal areas that Buhari should reverse the appointment is selfishness carried too far going by the far that people coastal area have over the years continued to dominate appointment into the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission.”

Alabi, however, urged them to remember that the Ilajes, as people who believed in equity, fairness and justice, to accept that people from other parts of the state are co-owners of the resource who must benefit by way of appointments.

 He said, “If the yardstick these people are insisting should be used in determining appointments had been the tradition and must be used always, then nobody outside Baylsa State or Rivers State should be appointed Minister of Petroleum.

 “By the same logic, nobody outside Niger Delta State could be appointed as Minister of Power.”

 PUNCH.