Coalition Demands Akwa’s Sack, Scrap Of NDDC Sole Administratorship

A coalition of Niger Delta youth organisations, non-governmental organisations and stakeholders in the region, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to, as a matter of public urgency, proscribe the sole administratorship currently existing at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and sack the Barrister Effiong Okon Akwa-led management team.
This was part of a 10-point communiqué reached by the coalition at the end of the Town Hall Meeting of the Niger Delta youth organisations and stakeholders convened by the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, over the weekend.
The communique reads, “That Mr. President should exhibit lawfulness and save the situation in the region, and as a matter of urgency, terminate the appointment of Barrister Effiong Okon Akwa, and scrap the office of the Sole Administratorship.”
“That the National Assembly should, as a matter of expedience, approve and authorise the release of all funds due the interventionist agency, like the NDDC.
“That the employment carried out under Senator Godswill Akpabio’s supervision be halted, especially employment done within 2021 up on till recently, as the process was lopsided, inequitable and lacked due process. We want the honourable minister to revisit the process.
“That we condemn, in its entirety, the obnoxious Water Resources Bill currently on the floor of the National Assembly. It should be thrown out as it has no value to the socio-economic development and the unity of the country as it is contrived to exploit the Niger Delta region.
“That the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs should compel Setraco and RCC to immediately mobilise to site for the onward repairs of the entire stretch of the East-West Road, particularly the Ogoni axis that has turned to a death trap as it has made the region loose monumentally.
“That it was also agreed in the meeting that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Housing should liaise and bring to fruition this lingering road network to alleviate the age-long sufferings of the people of the region.
“That NDDC contractors be paid for jobs done upon due verification to enhance development in the region.
“That the honourable minister should review the about-to-be-paid water hyacinth contract before payment.
“That the minister should convoke a stakeholders’ summit with traditional rulers, stakeholders and youth leaders, to have first-hand information from the people.
“That operational autonomy of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) be given concrete remediation plan and the use of best available technology for the Ogoniclean-up. Also, that the Federal Government should release their part of the counterpart funding to expedite work on the Bodo-Bonny Road.
“That MOSIEND isdirected to facilitate a consultative meeting between the Minister of Environment, Works and Housing; Niger Delta Affairs; and minister of state for petroleum for synergy in pursuit of development strides in the region.”

By: Akujobi Amadi