Buhari tasked on Niger Delta, treasury looters

THE incoming federal administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been implored to reposition the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Ministry of Niger Delta and other government agencies created to take care of the special needs of the region.
   
A group, Development Alliance for the Niger Delta (DAND), which made the call also urged the new government to set up a commission that would investigate and address all “cases of flagrant corruption both past and present with view of recovering huge sum of monies in the control of past and current treasury looters.”
  
Addressing a press conference in Benin City, convener of the group, Reverend David Ugolor, flanked by Tony Abolo and Ugbotako Nowinta, who are also members, called for the strengthening of the anti-graft and anti-money laundering agencies and an overhaul of the nation’s criminal justice system to deal with corruption cases.
  
They insisted that those who must represent the region in the new government of Buhari must be credible individuals or groups with no record of violent conduct.

DAND added: “We urge the incoming administration to as a matter of urgency explore useful means to positively engage non-violence youths in the Niger Delta region that have acquired useful technical skill and academic qualification but are still unemployed and jobless.
   
“In addressing the issues of Niger Delta, we recommend a holistic review of the structures, administrative make-up and funding of both the Ministry of Niger Delta Affair and the NDDC in order to reposition these agencies for better service delivery of much needed development initiatives for sustainable growth in the region.

“It is our considered view that in order to avoid politicization of key national issues and avoid setback in the fight against corruption, a truth commission should be set up to investigate and address all cases of flagrant corruption both past and present with a view to recovering huge sums of monies in the control of past and current treasury looters and draw a line thereafter against anyone who would be involved in corrupt practices or money laundering under the change regime going forward.”