Ijaw Peoples Development  Initiative (IPDI) Rejects  Northerners Inclusion in NDDC Board

Ijaw Peoples Development

Initiative (IPDI) Rejects

Northerners Inclusion in NDDC Board

IPDI has picked holes and described as nothing but a novel contraption the inclusion of Northern representatives on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The group argued that since the North was not part of the Niger Delta Region, it was abnormal for northerners to be represented; hence it called on the Federal Government to immediately spearhead the amendment of the Act establishing the commission and ensure those having no business with the area were delisted.

In a statement signed by the National President of the group, Mr. Austin Ozobo, the present composition of the NDDC Board was strongly queried. “It is appalling that NDDC under President Muhammadu Buhari is being politicized. One wonders what Northern representatives are doing in NDDC. If I may ask: is north now part of the Niger Delta?” The body also faulted the Interim Management Committee for the NDDC, describing it as “illegal, baseless and unconstitutional…meant to serve personal interest”.

Ex-Militant Cautions Buhari, Akpabio

A former leader of the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has kicked against many things happening in the NDDC and the Niger Delta region in general and therefore issued strong warnings to the Presidency.

Speaking to Journalists in Port Harcourt recently, the born-again militant said in order to avert or forestall a repeat of history, there should be quick response and pragmatic changes in the way things were done in the oil-rich delta. Amongst others, he called for strict adherence to the year 2000 Law that established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); dissolution of Sen. Akpabio’s Interim Committee; and patriotic streamlining of modalities towards rapid development of the Niger Delta. According to Dokubo, “NDDC has a law that established it. Disrespect for due process is a major problem…President Buhari must put his house in order…”

Niger Delta People Liberation Force (NDPLF) Demands Accountability, Transparency From Niger Delta Leaders

The Niger Delta People Liberation Force (NDPLF) has challenged the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as well as stakeholders and leadership of the NDDC to rise in unison to tackle the corruption virus that has been the bane of under-development in the Niger Delta over the years. The group’s leader, Mr. Aaron Akpoyibo made this known in a press release made available to newsmen recently in Benin City, Edo State. He decried the spate of corruptive tendencies amongst leaders of both the Ministry of Niger Delta and the NDDC, which have accounted for the poor service delivery in the area. The group that also cautioned Sen. Akpabio to be wary of playing politics with his new office equally challenged the minister to give quality attention to the completion of the abandoned East-West Road.

APC National Vice Chair Seeks Return of NDDC to Office of Secretary to the Federation

The National Vice Chairman of the ruling party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), Mr. Hillard Eta, has joined voices calling on President Buhari to revert the NDDC to the Office of the SFG. This he said could help solve the leadership imbroglio and curtail the level of politics and selfishness the embattled commission might be exposed to in the present circumstances it finds itself.

Stating that the ongoing leadership tussle has caused great embarrassment to South-South stakeholders of the APC, Mr. Eta asked the President to limit the forensic audit of the NDDC to period of the controversial water hyacinth contract which officials are alleged to have siphoned billions of naira into their private pockets. “If there is going to be a forensic audit of the NDDC, they should start with the last water hyacinth contract that was done between the office of the Minister of Niger Delta and the Office of the Acting Managing Director”. He also punctured the parallel constitution of an Interim Committee for the NDDC by Sen. Akpabio.