By Frank Pukon
The NDDC’s vision can only be achieved if stakeholders forgo their political gridlocks and work accordingly in line with the commission’s sacred document or its establishment act.
When President Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2000 established the Niger Delta Development Commission with a sole mandate of developing our oil-rich Niger Delta region, we were all heartened with a glimmer of hope. Because our continued agitation in articulating our demands for greater autonomy and control of our area’s petroleum resources were visibly achieved to an extent.
NDDC: Group Petitions FG, NASS, Others Over Substantive Board, Rejects Sole Administrator
June 5th this year will apparently make it 21 years, the NDDC is saddled with the sole responsibility to develop and provide infrastructure and proper corporate governance such as accountability, checks and balances, and overall, fair and equitable representation to the constituent states of the Niger Delta region.
Some of us, however, are incredibly stunned on how the NDDC intends to pursue its policies of promoting the Niger Delta’s physical and socio-economic development, particularly with regard to the sad events of this present administration in the past 3 years: where there is no substantive board. This is unlawful, illegal and unacceptable to this generation of Niger Deltans and our forebears who fought and died for the region’s progress, stability and development.
How can a sole administrator formulate policies that will be a guide to the development of the Niger Delta? Is this not dancing to the tone of corruption to systematically frustrate a forensic audit with a political undertone?
The NDDC act did not make provision for sole administrator and the action of the presidency is treacherous, worrisome and contrary to the provision of the law, which is a siege to our regions development.
This beckons to all well-meaning Niger Deltans to painstakingly travel on self-reflection and search for answers what is happening to the NDDC, which ought to be the people’s board.
The NDDC can work for Niger Deltans and become the people’s board when its act is respected.
Pukon is the Secretary-General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
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