Ex-militant group threatens to shut down NDDC on August 7

As commission partners N’Delta communities on more projects
Again, ex-militant group in the Niger Delta region has alerted of imminent showdown with the Federal Government over delay in the inauguration of a substantive board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The group, under the auspices of the 21st Century Youths of Niger Delta and Agitators with Conscience (21st CYNDAC), had threatened to shut down activities of the NDDC by August 7, 2021 if the Federal Government fail to inaugurate the commission’s board.

In a statement issued by its Coordinator, Izon Ebi, after an emergency meeting, said the lethargy that had trailed the commission during the interim committee and sole administrator era could no longer be condoned.

“The 21st CYNDAC is sending a strong message to the relevant persons, authorities and agencies to swear in the new board as previously constituted. Failure to do so, we will have no other option but to shut down the commission one week after July 31, till a substantive board is inaugurated.

“It is time the government stopped giving political coloration to its promises to the Niger Delta region and its people on NDDC’s forensic audit and the new board to end the constant protests against the commission.

“This will be the mother of all protests, as it will be devoid of ethnic coloration. We, therefore, urge the relevant government agencies and the National Assembly to save the nation the embarrassment of not doing the needful,” the statement reads.

The group also called on President Muhammadu Buhari and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to do the needful by inaugurating the screened and confirmed board of the NDDC without further delay latest by July 3, as promised.

It stressed that this was important to save the National Assembly further ridicule as an appendage of the Federal Government for perpetrating illegality.

MEANWHILE, the NDDC has disclosed that it is partnering with local governments in Rivers State to execute more projects, as part of its mandate to boost development of the Niger Delta region.

Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Efiong Akwa, stated this at the unveiling of the construction of an International Bush Meat Market and Motor Park at Omagwa in collaboration with the Ikwerre Council.

Akwa said the council, as the third tier of government, would partner directly with the NDDC in the execution of the project, adding: “The chairman deserves commendation for seeking every opportunity to bring development projects to his domain.”