By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
A Niger Delta group, Centre for peace and good governance (CPGG) has given its weight behind federal Government directive on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to function under Niger Delta Ministery for effective implementation and monitoring of projects and administration.
The group in a press statement made available to Tuesday Daily Watch signed by its National President, Chike Oliseh, Vice Nat, President, Preye London and Secretary, Michael Obor respetively , said ‘‘ Our attention has been drawn to series of political interference against the normal functioning of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC by certain political gladiators, particularly of ministers and elected office holders from the Niger Delta region. These acts, schemes and plots are all aimed at under-developing the Niger Delta region for selfish political ends.
‘‘We are aware that by virtue of a memo dated September 2, 2019 with Ref No SH/COS/81/A/1900 and signed by the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari, the NDDC reaffirmed to be directly under the supervisory control of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs which is currently headed by His Excellency, the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen Godswill Akpabio and Sen Tayo Alasoadura, the Honourable Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs’’ the stated..
According to the statement, ‘‘While we still struggle to understand the reason for this unholy interest in the affairs of the interventionist agency by these ‘south south cabals’, it must be stated that NDDC is not an institution to be influenced by every Tom, Dick and Harry within the corridors of power. This is because the NDDC exists solely for the interest of the entire Niger Delta region and her people.
‘‘It would be recalled that on July 23, 2019, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed a total of 43 ministers to head over 50 MDAs in the country, and as such it becomes very worrisome for the NDDC which is currently under the control of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to attract such selfish political attention from other ministers especially from ministers and elected officers of the south south region who ordinarily are holding their respective designated offices/portfolios.
‘‘We are therefore by this statement making it crystal clear that the NDDC is not a cash cow meant to fund the political ambition of south south politicians and/or ministers. NDDC is an agency established and governed by laws and as such nobody except Mr President and the Honouràble Ministers of Niger Delta Affairs, has a say in who becomes what in NDDC.
‘‘The failed coup by some four musketeers to illegally constitute an entire NDDC Board in the absence of President Muhammadu Buhari who was in far away Japan, Tokyo, clearly shows the desperation of these selfish political figures. To them it’s the slogan; ‘let it be so, no matter whose ox is gored’.
”We are also not unaware of a staged protest against an alleged employment exercise in NDDC. While the truthfulness of this cannot be ascertained, we are consoled by the statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs through the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack dated October 3, 2019 titled SUSPENSION OF EMPLOYMENT INTO THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, NDDC.
”If NDDC must attain its vision, it must be allowed to function naturally. Protests and counter protests here and there are only obtainable in issues concerning NDDC as against other MDAs in the country. Niger Delta youths must refuse to be mere pawns in the hands of these political figures.” the statement asserted.
The group however, stated boldly that NDDC which is currently under the supervision of a two-term serving Governor of Akwa Ibom State, a former senator and a one-time minority leader of the senate in the person of Sen. Godswill Akpabio and also the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Tayo Alasoadura are eminently experienced and capable of directing the affairs of NDDC, hence they were so appointed.
Continuing ”We are also by this statement issuing a stern warning to especially south south appointees and elected officials to focus on improving the lot of Niger Deltans and Nigerians through their designated offices and not poke nosing into issues beyond their scope of authority. The NDDC is not the only federal agency in the country!
”Simply put, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva cannot leave agencies directly under him namely, DPR, NNPC etc and start interfering with the activities of NDDC. Also, the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomole cannot neglect national political issues and just delve into affairs of NDDC. Similarly, the Deputy Senate President, Sen. Ovie Omo-Agege cannot abandon pressing legislative issues of the National Assembly in terms of plenary proceedings, committee appointments and jump into matters of NDDC. Again, the Minister of Transportation, His Excellency, Rotimi Amaechi cannot also neglect his ministry and dwell on the affairs of NDDC, all for selfish political gains.
”In the face of all this imbroglio, one wonders if Sen. Godswill Akpabio and Sen. Tayo Alasoadura having been appointed as Ministers of Niger Delta Affairs, do have a say in who becomes a member of a committee in the senate, or does he (Akpabio) determine what goes on in the Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Transport or even what happens at the APC National Chairman’s office?
”The evil attitude of sponsoring groups to protest any act done by NDDC simply because it doesn’t satisfy their selfish political interest must be stopped forthwith. The culture of employing political gimmicks and patronage in the affairs of NDDC must also stop.” the added.
Noting that ”True to this, the Honourable minister had earlier stated during his recent visit to the Commission’s headquarters that the ugly narrative in NDDC must not continue.
”Indeed, the supervisory ministers must be allowed to manage the affairs of NDDC in order to achieve the vision of making a difference in the Niger Delta region.
”We remain resolute in seeing the Niger Delta region of our dreams and no amount of political gimmicks can deter the good intentions of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari for the region.” the group stated.
