Develop Non-Oil Sector, Analyst Tells NDDC Board

The newly inaugurated board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been charged to develop the non oil sector in order to create more employment opportunities for the region

An Environmental analyst, Mr Pedro Akpaka, gave the charge in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt, at the weekend.

He said development of the non-oil sector would not only enhance employment opportunities, but will attract investors to the area.

Akpaka, noted that if the non oil sector was properly developed, both revenue enhancement and new industries would be visible in the area.

According to him, areas like cassava and fish production should be considered in the attempt to leap frog the non oil sector.

The activate maintained that the issue of agitation must be relaxed, if the drivers of the commission pay prime attention to job creation.

He was of the view that the best way to handle restiveness in the Niger Delta was to engage the young people meaningfully and not to wait for amnesty.

He also tasked the management to look inwards to ensure that all drain-pipes for illegal financial transactions were closed so as to earn for itself a better name.

He reasoned that since the board was inaugurated to work towards the development of the area, such should also top their agenda and not seeking personal benefits.

On the members of the board, he said that they are square pegs in a square holes, saying that they must not disappoint the people.