‘NDDC should prioritise infrastructure, not toilets commissioning’

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) should prioritise infrastructure development, especially roads and health facilities, and not toilets commissioning or other irrelevant project that does not positively impact on the region and the nation.

This is part of the resolutions of a group of Niger Delta organisations at a joint press conference  in Abuja.

The group commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for honouring Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director/CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Converner of the coalition and Coordinator, Niger Delta Non-Violent Agitators Forum, Mr Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli; a former spokesman of Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF) and prominent south-south leader, His Royal Highness Anabs Sara-Igbe; and a chieftain of Niger Delta Stakeholder, Chief Jude Tabai, spoke on behalf of others.

They said that oil exploration had destroyed fishing and farming, which is the traditional and major means of livelihood of the people of the region.

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“It is important to prioritise road construction, other infrastructure development and employment opportunities for the people of the region and which will also have positive impacts on the economy of the nation at large,” Ikuli said.

Tabai on his part said that they believe the NDDC MD would not be a business as usual, especially that he belonged to the zone as he lives there and would rather do the right things for the region and the country.

Also, Sara-Igbe said: “NDDC has no business involved in toilet building, it should be involved in infrastructure and partnering with manufacturing companies and find ways to bring back fishing and farming destroyed by oil exploration.

“Since the establishment of the NDDC in 2000, this is one of the few moments that the people of the Niger Delta are feeling high sense of belonging because of the very strategic efforts of Chief Samuel Ogbuku who has shown strong determination to change the negative narratives about the interventionist agency.