Barrister George Ombeh is a governorship hopeful in Bayelsa State. He is a former member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and an astute democrat.
He is known by many as “the re-orientation apostle.” He is a philanthropist, a relentless crusader of justice and an unrepentant defender of the masses. In this exclusive interview with Niger Delta STANDARD Assistant Editor, WALTER DURU, he speaks on his vision for Bayelsa State, governance in the state, the Niger Delta problem and the state of the nation.

Excerpts:

On his governorship ambition in the state, he says

What inspired me primarily is what I see as the future of the state. Bayelsa State presently is one of the poorest states in the country, not in terms of allocation from the Federation account. In terms of the Federation account Bayelsa is one of the luckiest states in the Federation.

However, considering the terrain and topography of the area, it is more expensive to be developed, but I see a great future for the state. Currently, over sixty percent of the allocation from the Federation account to Bayelsa State is based on our 13% oil derivation, and the derivation is based on the production quota of every state and by the supreme court judgement, what accrues to each state is production from land and water.

If you take a look at the investment profile of major oil companies in Nigeria, they are now moving towards deep water. No oil company is interested in developing swamp and land location. The reason is either because of the hassles they go through, community crises, and of course, activities of militants before the amnesty came into place. What that means is that if there is no renewed investment on land production, with time, the production on land and swamp will fizzle out. In fact, from my own calculation, in the next 20 years, Bayelsa and many other states within the Niger Delta area will suffer.

If in the next 20 years, the swamp and the land production will get to the barest minimum, then there is trouble if nothing is done. Before the 13% allocation was implemented, Bayelsa State was receiving between N900million and N1.2billion from the Federation Account. Even, as at now, the allocation from normal federation account is not more than N2billion or thereabout.

Given this reality, this is the time for the state to begin to look at alternative sources of revenue, which so far, we have not started pursing. If we do not start thinking along this line, it means that we have nothing to leave behind for those coming behind us. That is what inspired me to be interested, so as to deliver the state.
What my government is going to do is to use the resources that are available now in developing an alternative revenue base for the future of Bayelsa state.

On managing the huge debt profile of the state

Well, I am aware that the state House of Assembly gave an approval to the governor to go in for a N50 billion bond. I am not aware if all other institutions involved have complied. I am not aware if the state government has been able to access the bond.

I am also aware that currently, the state has a very high debt profile. We will put machineries in place to ensure that it is properly handled. We thank God the Federal Government is putting things in place to address the issue. Given the efforts of the Central Bank so far to handle and manage debts, I am sure, that considering the strategies we have already put in place, we shall comfortably handle, spread the huge sums and still ensure rapid development of the state.

What we need to do is to keep fate and be consistent with the payment schedule and ensure that we handle same. We will also ensure spending within government, so that we will have more available to develop and run the affairs of the state. We will bring the data together, spread them out and be consistent in trying to get them cleared. Be consistent with the payment schedule. That is what we need to do.

On Nigeria’s Democratic experience so far

Well, Democracy is a learning process and Nigerian politicians are trying to learn, but what I think we must not fail to do is to take our learning process following due process and available laws. What is happening at the National level is quite unfortunate. It is the desire of every Nigerian to have our president healthy to complete his tenure. However, there is an unintended development. It is nobody’s wish that our president should be sick, but, God the creator knows everything. I think what the relevant organs of government should do is to follow the provisions of the relevant sections of our constitution. The processes are clearly spelt out in the constitution. I am very confident that the president will survive the sickness. Whenever he comes back, he can assume his office back.

Within the corporate world I am coming from, things are done properly. There should be no vacuum in leadership at all. We call on the different institutions of government and the Federal Executive Council, to ensure that the constitutional provisions are followed, while we continue to pray for our president to recover as soon as possible and return to his job.

On insecurity in Bayelsa State

Let me look at it from two perspectives. The larger Niger Delta struggle that predated militancy, which of course, by the grace of God has been brought under control by the amnesty. I am aware that there is now beginning to be some worries because of the long absence of Mr. President. I like to say that Mr. President’s absence from the country is not deliberate. He is presently not healthy and attending to his health. We should not use his sickness as an excuse to return to the Creeks. Sickness is something that is natural. I urge all freedom fighters to continue to keep fate with the amnesty.

In respect of Political violence, it is unfortunate that some persons have decided to resort to violence as a means of achieving political power. I believe that leadership can only be enthroned by God. If you are not ordained by God, no matter the level of violence, you will not be there. Violence in Politics is something every right thinking person should condemn. I call on all law enforcement agencies to look out for those politicians that are breeding violence. They bring in guns and other dangerous weapons into the state. This is wrong and must be discouraged. The Niger Delta Area, we all know, that apart from the genuine struggle, the situation was made worse by those who used these youths as a means of achieving political goals. It does not help. We should all condemn it.

Ultimate solution to the Niger Delta problem

Massive development of the region and sincerity of purpose are the ways out. I am not aware if some of the militant leaders have returned to the creeks, but like I said earlier, the vacuum that has been created is as a result of a natural cause.

I believe, Mr. President meant well and meant his words under the amnesty. If we believe in Mr. President in the amnesty programme, I like to appeal to Nigerians, particularly their leadership, to be patient with the present situation and the path we are passing through. It is not going to be an endless thing.
If we believe Mr. President, let us exercise patience. If President Yar’Adua recovers and returns tomorrow, then it is good news.

Meanwhile, the relevant institutions of government should swear in the Vice president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. I know that he, as a member of the present administration will keep fate with the amnesty and address the issue of the Niger Delta. I appeal to all not to throw away the amnesty because of the political impasse that the country is facing right now. It will not last forever.

Advise:

Bayelsa State, I must say has not had a fair deal and my advise is that they should be wiser this time around in selecting their leaders. They must resist every attempt to buy them over, reject the “political seasonal Greek gift” and ensure that credible persons are chosen.

The ruling class should also realize that they are representatives of the people and should be accountable to them. They must be transparent and serve with the fear of God. I am optimistic that God will deliver us.

Thank you, sir.