Lori-Ogbebor faults new NDDC board nominees, demands justice

Right activist, Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to review the list of fresh nominees for Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board to ensure justice.
She pointed out that the Itsekiri, the ‘highest oil-producing ethnic group’ in Delta State, was left out.

At a media briefing, yesterday, in Lagos, the activist explained that going by the NDDC Act, it is the turn of Delta State to produce the leadership of the board, adding that the Itsekiri should benefit from the zoning.
She said: “Mr. President, we need justice and fair play.  A list has just been released of the nominees for NDDC board. Mr. President, I don’t want to believe this list came from you. I hold this idea very strongly because they did it before.

“And I am not afraid of calling those, who did it before your enemies and enemies of this country. They work for themselves and do not work for this country. Mr. President, I believe nobody in your position will allow the list that was forwarded to the Senate.

“The list this time is even worse than the list we had before, which prompted me to go to court. Why am I against the present list?  First, the NDDC Act clearly states that there should be a managing director and chairman.  It states that these two positions are to be rotated in alphabetical order and oil quantum produced.”

I have kept quiet and Itsekiri have kept quiet all the while until now. It is the turn of Delta State to produce the leadership. And in Delta State, Urhobo and Ijaw have been running the show. They were the ones producing the managing directors and chairmen. But the Itsekiri, who actually produce the highest quantity of oil in Delta State are left out. Is it because we are a minority?”

She insisted it is the turn of the Itsekiri to produce the Managing Director of NDDC, saying the current nominee is from Delta North, which does not suffer oil pollution or environmental degradation as Itsekiri land.
He urged the President to revisit the list.