CSO tasks leaders on development of Niger Delta

Eagle Watch for Good Governance (EWGG), on Thursday, called on the political leaders and other stakeholders to always prioritise the development of the Niger Delta region to improve the standard of living in the region.

The National Coordinator, Comrade Cletus Kwalekeme, who made the call while addressing journalists in Asaba, Delta State, said it is good for the leadership to take the destiny of the region into their own hands, to achieve meaningful development in the mix of plenty.
Kwalekeme noted that since Nigeria transited into democratic rule in 1999, Niger Delta had continued to receive the desired attention, particularly from the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the present government of President Bola Tinubu.

He said to achieve genuine transformation of the Niger Delta region, the Obasanjo administration graciously approved the payment of 13 per cent oil derivation for Niger Delta oil producing areas and established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), while late President Musa Yar’adua demonstrated his love for the Niger Delta region by creating the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and granted amnesty to all Niger Delta agitators,

The national coordinator added that the government amnesty programme offered scholarships to the agitators to study both within and abroad.

However, he lamented that many of the beneficiaries of the skill acquisition sold their equipment instead of using it to start up their businesses.

He further asserted that during the administrations Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammad Buhari, many of the NDDC projects were abandoned after the contractors were paid their contract sum.

He, however, expressed satisfaction with Mr. Chiedu Ebie and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s leadership of the NDDC under the present administration.

He also paid glowing tribute to former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, for the construction of Bomadi bridge during his administration, recalling that Ibori was among those that championed the development of Niger Delta.
Kwalekeme also commended Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for the massive infrastructural and human capital development of the state through his M.O.R.E Agenda.