Ijaw leaders plan showdown with Delta govt - Over sale of NPA properties

Sylvester Idowu, Warri - 10.03.2008

Prominent Ijaw leaders are now spoiling for a showdown with the Delta State government over the sale of properties belonging to the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) in Warri.

Nigerian Tribune gathered on Sunday that the Ijaw leaders were not happy over the decision of the government to acquire the properties already bidded and paid for by some of their kinsmen under the privatisation programme of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The management of NPA had advertised the properties, made of buildings and land nationwide in 2006, for sale in line with the privatisation programme at that time.

The contentious properties were located along Warri\Sapele Road stretching from the boundary with Tractor and Equipment office premises to Miller Beach, before the old Warri Ports.

A prominent leader from Ogbe-Ijoh community, headquarters of Warri South West Local Government Area of the state, Chief Tunde Smooth, was said to have acquired some of the assets.

Specifically, Smooth was said to have bidded and paid for the NPA’s Terrace House and Lucas Beach House, which were among the choice assets the state government planned to take over.

However, the state government via a letter dated January 18, 2008 written by an agent, Joseph Wright Nigeria Limited, to the management of the NPA, called for the reversal of the sale of the properties in Warri metropolis.

The Managing Director of the consultancy firm, Dr. J.O. Agbigbe, in the letter, said, “Delta State government has decided to acquire this land area by waterside for overriding public interest. As you are well aware, this area has been staging grounds for militant activities in recent years.

When contacted, Chief Tunde Smooth confirmed the development, saying he had made representations to the NPA management and the leadership of the Ijaw nation.
Also, in a telephone interview with the Delta State Commissioner

for Information, Mr. Omah Djebah, he said the state government had not received any complaint on the sale of the properties.