The Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has proposed the creation of two additional states from the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
The INC said the proposed states should be carved out from Edo, Delta, Ondo, Bayelsa, Rivers, Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.
Global President of INC, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, made the proposal in his submission at the National Assembly constitution review public hearing for the South South Zone held in Yenagoa at the weekend.
Okaba gave the names of the two states asToru-Ebe and Oil Rivers states.
“We reaffirm our demand for the creation of two additional homogeneous Ijaw states; Toru-Ebe comprising Ijaws in Delta, Edo and Ondo and Oil Rivers States made up of Ijaws in Rivers and Akwa-Ibom
“We also propose additional 33 local government areas for Bayelsa State, which currently has just eight.
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“The demand for the creation of the proposed Toru Ebe State is aimed at addressing long standing yearnings and aspirations of the people for justice, peace, stability, self-determination and development.
“The territorial configuration of the proposed Toru Ebe state includes only ljaw clans in the present Delta, Edo and Ondo States.
“These distinct yet culturally homogeneous clans of the Ijaw ethnic nationality and customary owners of all land living in a geographical contiguous territory of their own and have been deliberately balkanised into different political and administrative units in the country are the ones demanding for the creation of the proposed state,” he said.
According to Okaba, the oil revenue from the Ijaw areas in the three states accounted for the largest revenue accruing to the national economy.
He said in spite of the receipt of the 13 percent derivations revenue by Edo, Delta, and Ondo States, the Ijaw areas which are mineral producing have been denied any meaningful development.
“Modern infrastructure social services such as schools, hospitals, portable water are near absent in Ijaw communities especially in Edo.
“Ancient traditional tools are easily denigrated and denied office recognition and patronage. With the political fragmentation in place, it has been impossible for an ljaw man in Edo to become a mere ward councillor.
“Because of the neglect there is a high level of rural- urban migration leading to the loss of indigenous cultural heritage.”
The INC global president said that however, the Ijaw as inhabitants of this marshy and swampy terrain were blessed with abundant natural resources including oil and natural gas.
He added that the proposed state with a population of about 2.7 million people have natural landscapes with beautiful beaches and lengthy coastline which could be annexed into a blue economy and tourism that would make it economically viable.
“We also propose Oil Rivers State that comprises Ijaws in Rivers and Akwa Ibom.
“This area remains the most naturally blessed but environmentally degraded in the entire world, with massive oil exploration, gas flaring threatening the very survival of the people.
“Just like our counterparts in Edo, the Ijaws especially in Akwa Ibom State are left with no basic infrastructure, electricity, and healthcare services.There is no meaningful state and federal government infrastructure in these Ijaw communities.
“Due to the long period of fragmentation many Ijaw communities face cultural extinction with some losing their native language and their traditions.
“With the creation of the Oil Rivers state, the rich heritage and environment of our people can be resuscitated,” he said.
