Group Berates Protest Against Appointment of Non-indigene as BORDA MD

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City

The Edo Civil Society Coalition for Justice (ECSCFJ), on Monday, condemned those protesting the non-appointment of an indigene as the new Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority.

The federation government had last January appointment Femi Adekanbi as the new MD of the federal agency after the expiration of two-term of eight years of Saliu Ahmed from Auchi, Edo State.

As soon as the announcement was made some members under the aegis of Host Communities, drawn from Obayantor II, Ekosa, Agbonmwoba and Awanoba, staged a protest, demanding Adekanbi be dropped in preference to a Benin person as the agency’s boss.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, ECSCFJ, noted that the call by the Benin indigenous group for appointment of person of Benin extraction was highly misplaced as according to him, the River Basin Authority covers four states which includes, Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

Besides, Coordinator of ECSCFJ, Comrade David King, who read the address on behalf of members of the coalition, argued that since inception of the River Basin, Edo State has occupied the position of Managing Director on five occasions, more than other states the authority represents namely: Prince A.I. Eweka (1977-1982), Dr. E.C. Olumese (1986-1989), Dr. G.E. Oteze (1990-1999, Mr. A.A. Osula (2011-2016, and Engr. Saliu Ahmed (2016-2024).

According to him, it is also a known fact the immediate past Managing Director who completed eight-year tenure, is of Edo origin, pointing out that the actions of the protesters are not a way to clamour for equity, as their demand may also constitute a clear contravention of the Federal Character.

“As a civil society coalition in Edo State, we have become very worried about the turn of events particularly with the recent protest instigated at the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, embarked upon by some elements who claimed to be representing the interests of the Benin ethnic group.

“The protesters, claiming to represent the interests of the Benin group, demanded that the position of Managing Director be ceded to a Benin indigene as reward for hosting the agency. However, it is essential to set the record straight. BORDA represents four states: Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti.

“With this, it is very important to educate the misdirected protesters and members of the public, who they wish to mislead, that Edo State has occupied the position of M.D on five occasions since the inception of the authority, more times than any other state the authority represents.

“It is also important to note that some of these MDs have been offered Benin extraction. It is also a fact that the immediate past MD who completed 8-year tenure is of Edo origin.

“Therefore, the actions of these misguided protesters are in no way a clamour for equity but one that clearly contravene the federal character system.

The ECSCFJ therefore, said the demands by the protesters are not true representative of the interest of Benin people as falsely claimed but one borne out of selfish interest.

He added that the Benin is made of people with integrity and highly regarded leaders to speak on behalf of their collective interests.