Group Accuses Presidency Of Violating NDDC Act
A civil rights group in Akwa Ibom State under the aegis of Oro Youth Movement (OYOM), has reiterated its earlier call for the inauguration of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) governing board in line with the enabling Act.
The president, Comrade Etifit Nkereuwem, in a statement made available to newsmen Tuesday in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, maintained that only a substantive governing board with full legal backing would guarantee accountable and effective management of the interventionist agency of the Federal Government.
Nkereuwem said they were impressed that governors of the South South geo-political zone during their meeting last week in Asaba, convened by the Delta State Governor and Chairman, South South Governors Forum (SSGF), Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, took a strong position on the controversial matter.
He called on all Niger Deltans to emulate the governors by supporting the call to inaugurate the governing board on the NDDC.
He stated, “Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is a major interventionist agency of the Federal Government for the infrastructural renaissance, socio-economic well-being and overall development of the Niger Delta region.
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“We hereby reiterate our earlier position that for a meaningful forensic audit, effective, transparent and accountable leadership, Niger Delta Development Commission must be managed by a substantive governing board with full powers and legal backing.
“And OYOM has risen in strong support of the recent call by the South-South governors on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent public importance and public interest inaugurate the governing board on NDDC, in line with the enabling Act.
“We view this patriotic and sincere appeal to President Buhari as timely and appropriate considering the current situation in the country. We equally call on the Niger Delta people and other well-meaning citizens of this country to support this position.
“We pledge to work closely with our governors and other major stakeholders to address issues affecting the region, while we appeal to our people to remain peaceful and law-abiding in their agitation for egalitarian Nigerian federation”.
