Following a recent protest at the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORDA), the Edo State Civil Society Coalition condemned acts of violence by young people claiming to represent the interests of the Benin ethnic group.
The group has called on Betty Otimenyin, the state’s commissioner of police, to act quickly and hold those responsible accountable in order to deter further ethnic chauvinism. At a press briefing held in Benin, King David, the coordinator of the Civil Society Coalition, expressed concerns about the ongoing protests, especially those organized by young people claiming to speak for the Benin ethnic nation.
The demonstrators called for a Benin native to be appointed managing director in exchange for hosting the organization. However, David criticized this claim, stating that BORDA is not exclusively representative of the Benin people and serves four states: Delta, Edo, Ondo, and Ekiti.
He emphasized the importance of allowing the management, led by Dr. Femi Adekanbi, to promptly resume and carry out its development objectives. David called for demonstrators to cease their disruptive behavior and let peace reign for the good of Edo State and its surrounding states.
Additionally, David noted that Edo State has held the managing director position five times since BORDA’s founding, more than any other state it represents. He noted that several of those who held the position were of Benin descent, including the immediate past managing director, who completed an eight-year tenure.
The Coalition advocated for a peaceful resolution and adherence to existing procedures, such as the Federal Character Commission, and warned against acts that could jeopardize the authority’s position in Edo State, damaging the state’s industrial prosperity.
