Warri — A former Niger Delta warlord Chief Government Ekpemupolo (a.k.a Tompolo) has called on the northern Governors who are calling for equal share of the oil revenue to look elsewhere saying the people of the Niger Delta will use the resources in their land to develop the region.

He also warned those threatening fire and brim stone if President Jonathan decides to run for second term to better think of something else saying the President has equal right as any other Nigerian and also protected by the constitution and therefore cannot be intimidated by anybody.

Chief Ekpemupolo who spoke with journalist in his Oporoza community in Gbaramatu kingdom of Delta state described the northern Governors as trouble makers who want to throw the nation into crisis.

According to him, the people of Niger delta deserve more than they are presently getting adding that they are exposed to health and environmental hazards as a result of oil exploitation in the region.

The Ijaw high chief further added that if people who are from other region are getting oil b locks in the Niger delta then the people of the region deserve ten times more than other people get saying it is their right.

In his words, "you know some of these governors do not understand how Niger Delta looks like. One, we have this explosion in Bayelsa State and for some months, it is our people that felt the impact. There is no governor from the north or any person from the north that is facing the impact of the explosions that the Niger delta people face.

What we have is what we will use to develop our region. some of these governors are just trouble makers. If any other tribe can get up to three or four oil block then by the grace of God we are entitled to about seven or eight and that is what we want to have and nobody can stop us because it is our rights".

"I think I would not want to discuss much on that but we as a people in Niger Delta, have equal rights like every other person. Goodluck can still run for a second time and nobody has the right to stop him because Obasanjo did eight years. So because of the death of Yar'Adua maybe he would have run for second tenure like every other person. Goodluck has every right and nobody can stop him".

The Director General of the Nigeria maritime Security, NIMASA, Mr Patrick Akpobolokemi also carpeted those alleging that the agency has awarded a contract to secure the waterways to Tompolo saying that Tompolo is a Nigerian and that he is qualify for the job.

He further stated that those who are grumbling over the development are only afraid of outcome because it will expose their illegal acts to the public.

In his words, "if it is Tompolo that it is awarded to, is he not a citizen of Nigeria? Is he an ex-convict? Is he not more than eighteen years old to own a company? The reason why they are grumbling over the project is that it is going to expose them. The illegal activities they are conducting in the maritime domain are all going to be exposed. Illegal bunkering, illegal ship to ship transfer and mystery discharges that are not authorised and these are things people are afraid of".

"If he is coming to provide the logistics, the platforms, the equipments navy will use in conjunction with NIMASA to police our maritime domain, what sin have we committed. They should go back to the Act of NIMASA and they will see that NIMASA has empowered us to liaise with anybody, any individual, any organisation, to partner even with the Navy to do our job. So we owe nobody an apology to do what is right".