The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to immediately include all oil producing communities in the current steps aimed at finding solution to militant activities in the Niger Delta region.
The house also directed the Ministry of Petroleum Resources and that of Niger Delta Affairs to ensure the inclusion of Imo state to all matters relating to oil producing areas.
This followed a motion by Rep. Goodluck Opiah who raised concern over the non inclusion of Imo state in the present and previous discussions with federal government regarding oil producing states.
Worried that the recent efforts by federal government in solving the problems of Niger Delta region.
Concerned that the problems of militancy in the Niger Delta region occasioned by age long negligence of the area by government.
He however, said the crises in the region has affected the economy of the nation and also people of the area hence it is the only source of income the country depend on.
He further said Imo state is the first state where oil was first discovered since 1955. Infact,the first oil discovery was in Iho Dimenze area the present Ikeduru local government area of Imo state.
According to Opiah, the oil producing area of Ohaji/Egbema and Oguta were among the areas designated by the colonial administration as special.
He also lamented the deprivatization and under development of the oil rich communities despite its endowments.
Whilst speaking to the press after plenary, he called on the federal government to as a matter of urgency include Imo and Abia states respectively to avoid violence which he said seems to be penchant for attention by government authority.
He also warned that the Peaceful nature of an Igbo man on like our brothers in the South South should not be taken for granted.
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