Group Condemns Inclusion Of Northerners On NDDC Board

A rights group, the Ijaw Peoples Development Initiative (IPDI), has described as strange the inclusion of Northern representatives on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), saying since North was not part of Niger Delta region, Federal Government should immediately initiate the amendment of the Act establishing the agency and delist those who have no business being on the board of the commission.
The National President of the group, Mr. Austin Ozobo, who queried the composition of NDDC board, said in a statement, “It is also appalling that NDDC under President Muhmmadu Buhari is being politicized. One wonders what Northern representatives are doing in NDDC, if I may ask: is North now part of Niger Delta?
The group also complained about alleged short-changing of Ijaws in Delta State in the current board of NDDC.
It said: “Ijaws in Delta State produce the highest quantum of oil in the midst of tribes that are now Buhari’s favourites in Delta State. They sidelined them in the previous Buhari NDDC board, and now, the same injustice is playing out.
“It is not only disgusting, but hatred of Ijaws being displayed. We want the injustice and every illegality against Ijaws addressed. It is our demand that the Senate should suspend action on the new board pending when the government will deem it fit to address our plight, as it is capable of threatening the peace of the nation,” the group added.
On the recent happenings in NDDC, IPDI said, “It is shocking, as we are beginning to wonder the source of Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio’s unconstitutional powers, as there is no basis for another interim NDDC board, especially when names of substantive board is undergoing screening at the Red Chambers.
“We fault Akpabio’s hasty NDDC interim management board or committee as it is illegal, baseless and unconstitutional. It is meant to serve personal interests, and it is appalling that President Buhari’s government is turning NDDC to a trade union and a conduit pipe, leaving its primary objectives camouflaged with a fake audit.
“We reject Akpabio’s emergency interim board as it is a perceived attempt to loot and siphon public funds to personal treasury of few corrupt politicians,” the group said.
Similarly, the Niger Delta People Liberation Force (NDPLF) has demanded transparency and accountability in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with a view to fighting corruption.
The leader of the group, Mr Aaron Akpoyibo, disclosed this in a press release made available to newsmen in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Akpoyibo berated the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio for his overbearing influence in activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
He accused Akpabio of playing God for setting up a three-man NDDC interim management committee led by Mrs. Joy Ghene Nunieh as the acting managing director without President Muhammadu Buhari’s approval.
Akpoyibo tasked the minister on prompt completion of the East-West Road that had been abandoned after the former minister, Mr Godsday Orubebe, exited office.
It would be recalled that Buhari, through the Office of the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha in August, 2019, announced the appointment of a 16-man board of NDDC in which Chief Bernard Okumagba was named the managing director along with Dr. Pius Odubu as chairman of the board.
According to him, “The NDPLF completely reject the interim management committee set up by Godswill Akpabio because it is not in the interest of the NDDC and the Niger Delta region to set up such a committee when the Senate has began the screening and promised to complete the exercise within seven days.”