NDDC: Crisis looms in Niger Delta as stakeholders set for massive protest

By SUNDAY APAH, Ughelli

There are indications of imminent tension in Niger Delta as stakeholders from the region are set to stage a massive protest against Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, and Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over the misappropriation of funds belonging to the interventionist agency.

The stakeholders, under the platform of Niger Delta Development Initiative (NDDI), also called on critical stakeholders and well meaning individuals in the region to rise up against the Interim Management Committee set up by the presidency to oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC).

They said the massive protest will be to call for the immediate sack of Godswill Akpabio, outrigh dissolution of the Interim Management Committee and demand for the reconstitution of Board of NDDC, warning that should their demands not met could leave to chaos and disruption of oil facilities across the region.

“we note with anger the percieved corruption allegedly displayed or committed by Senator Akpabio and other members of the IMC which catered away billions of naira met for the development of region inline with the core mandates of NDDC was the height of inhuman and wickedness”.

Representatives of the group, Comrade Famous Daunimegha, President and Prince Kakas Amgbare, spokesman, in a statement, also frowned and expressed displeasure at the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen Godswill Akpabio, the acting executive Director, Dr Cairo Ojugbo and cohorts for running the affairs of the interventionist agency as one man show.

The stakeholders urged them to have a rethink over their actions and understands that the establishment of NDDC was a birth rock and product of negotiations of the oil arms struggle for emancipation of the Niger Delta.

According to the statement, it is sad to note that Dr. Cairo Ojugbo who is from Agbo in Delta state which does not produce even a drop of oil dictating the actions, programs and policies of NDDC.

“They did not only stole the future of the people, but also stole education and made countless Niger Deltans illiterate, they stole healthcare and killed countless children as well as money meant for generating employment and made millions jobless”. (Saturday Independent)