* IYC expresses worry over unusual delay of inauguratiion of substantive NDDC board
By Cletus Opukeme, Warri
The Ijaw Youth Council; IYC, Western Zone, led by Dr. Doubra Okotete, has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari, over the appointment of Captain John Roland Tonlagha as Executive Commissioner on Health and Safety Environment (HSE) in Petroleum Industrial Act.
IYC despite celebrating Tonlagja’s appointment, wondered why President Muhammad Buhari could not take the boldness to appoint the controversial NDDC substantive board chairman and other members to allow the commission function properly.
The group appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to name the substantive board for the region to be properly developed as the Nigerian constitution permits.
IYC in a statement signed by Olu Derimon Secretary and Lugard Izoukumor
Information Officer: for IYC Western Zone respectively, described the appointment as a momentous call that will address the devastating environmental setbacks, in Ijaw Communities and the Niger Delta by extension.
”As a socio-cultural organization empowered to speak for the socio-economic and adverse environmental effects on Ijaw people,. We believe our brand new Executive Commissioner HSE who is an Ijaw man understands the issues affecting our ecosystem and our people” IYC stated.
IYC’s leadership in Western Zone [Delta, Edo and Ondo States have pledges to give Mr. Tonlagha the necessary support and by extension the commission where a conducive atmosphere will be created for the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) for the overall good of Ijaw Communities, and indeed the Niger Delta at large.
However, we are still astonished by what is delaying the constitution of the NDDC Board. Ijaw people and Niger Deltans in general, particularly the youths are becoming agitated by the excessive politics hovering around constituting a substantive board of the NDDC.
”We therefore call on President Buhari to take thorough introspection to the kind of legacy he may wish to imprint in constituting the substantive board which sole mandate is the development of the Niger Delta.”. The Statement added
