Group Hails Minister Over Ag. NDDC MD’s Appointment

The Leadership of the Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta (ANND,) a front line non-violence group in the region has hailed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umanah for appointing Engr. Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua as the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The association also commended the ministry for addressing the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality 10 points communiqué aimed at solving the massive problems in the region.
This is contained in a statement by its Secretary, Mr Tonye Dokubo, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The group called on the Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to commence the payment of Agricultural grants to Cooperative Societies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and farmers in the region to boost rural economy.
Dokubo said the payment of Agricultural grants to Cooperatives, SMEs and farmers would boost food security, promote entrepreneurial activities to engender prosperity at the local community for the stabilization of security ahead of Yuletide period and pave way for 2023 general elections.
The association urges NDDC to recommence payment for clearing of water hyacinth in the regional waterways.
“We make this passionate appeal for NDDC to look critically the payment of agricultural grants to cooperatives and SMEs to farmers to boost agriculture and the local economy”.
“We also want the commission to recommence payments for the clearing of water hyacinth on our waterways”, Dokubo said.
The group appealed to NDDC to pay Niger Delta local contractors, as such move would go a long way towards boosting the local economy.
ANND commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umanah for acting upon the last communique of core Niger Delta stakeholders meeting held in Port Harcourt.
“It is striking and noteworthy that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has acted upon the last communique of core Niger Delta stakeholders”, Dokubo said.
Describing the Minister appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari as noteworthy and timely, Dokubo said the appointment is geared towards positioning the administration in a blaze of glory.
The group described the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs as one possessed with prepossessing achievements and God sent.
The statement listed some of the demands of the core Niger Delta groups and stakeholders acted upon by the minister to include the sacking of the previous Sole Administrator, NDDC, Mr Akwa, recommencement of work on the Ahoada section of the East/West Road, review of the indiscriminate employments in the NDDC by his predecessor and the Niger Delta Ministry liasing effectively with the National Assembly to fast track the release of 2021/22 budget.
Dokubo hail the Acting Managing Director NDDC Engr Emmanuel Audu for his efforts in erosion control and embankments in riverine communities.
Dokubo called on stakeholders in the region and beyond to give tremendous and holistic support to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Okon Umana to actualise the good plans for the people of the Niger Delta communities.

By: Chinedu Nwosu