Nigeria: $60million Power Project Under Threat

SOME $60million Independent Power Project (IPP) in Rivers State, one of Nigeria's major oil and gas-producing states, which the out-going Peter Odili administration is hoping to leave behind as their landmark legacy, is currently under threat. The Coalition for Militant Action (COMA), a militia group says they will blow up the gas turbines if the authorities fail to arrest Odili for alleged corrupt practices.

Leader of COMA, Alaye Teme, in a wired statement to our correspondent said they are not making any ''empty threat''. According to the militant group, ''we want the long arm of the law to catch up with Odili. There should be no sacred cows as far as the anti-corruption war is concern''.

Continuing, the group said, ''we will attack and destroy the Omoku gas turbine station any time after May 29, 2007 if Peter Odili is not arrested and convicted by the anti-corruption agencies of the Nigerian state.

Peter Odili's eight- year tenure in Rivers changed nothing. He built a good house for himself and his goons and that was all. He squandered N1.24 trillion in that period. No man should forgive such wickedness. Any attempt by the Nigerian state and those who partook in the chop-chop of Rivers money to shield Odili from prosecution and persecution will be eternally condemned''.

''At that time'', they went on, ''it will be too clear to us whether the anti-corruption agencies are real or mere secret police of the Obasanjo junta. We will keep faith with destiny''.

Adding, they said that it was also very unfortunate that Goodluck Jonathan of Bayelsa State who is now a Vice President-elect of the Peoples Democratic Party could label them as ''criminals'', saying it is very unfortunate indeed that someone like Jonathan who is a prime beneficiary of the struggle for the liberation of the Ijaw and Niger Delta will show such ingratitude to the stock that have made him.

''We are calling on all Ijaw and the peoples of the Niger Deltans to reflect on the future of our land as we look forward to the celebration of the memory of our eternal hero, Isaac Boro. We are also commending the convening council of Isaac Boro Day. It shall be well with them'', they said .

ENDS

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