Traditional rulers from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State have
lauded the efforts of the Federal Government and the Niger Delta
Development Commission, NDDC, in fast-tracking the development of the Niger
Delta region.
Nye-Nwe Ali Akpor, Eze Aniele Orlu-Oriebe, who spoke at a
reception organised by the Akpor Kingdom in honour of the NDDC Acting
Executive Director Finance and Administration, EDFA, Mr. Chris Amadi, at
the former Akpor Grammer School ground in Ozuoba, Obio/Akpor Local
Government Area, applauded the administration of President Muhammadu
Buhari, while commending the efforts of the NDDC as an interventionist
agency.
He declared: “The NDDC has done well, so far, in delivering on its mandate
of intervening to mitigate the infrastructural and other developmental
challenges of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. We encourage this current
management to do more, especially for the people of Akpor kingdom.”
Also, receiving the NDDC Acting EDFA in his palace earlier, Eze Apara
Rebisi of Port Harcourt, Eze Victor Woluchem XII, thanked the Federal
Government for recognizing the Ikwerre people as a the dominant ethnic
group in Rivers State.
The Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mr. Amadi,
affirmed that NDDC was more than ever before determined to fast-track the
development of all parts of the Niger Delta region, including Ikwerre
communities.
He said: “We have a duty and responsibility to ensure an equitable spread
of projects across the Niger Delta region. I can assure you that Ikwerre
people will get their fair share in the distribution of development
projects in the NDDC mandate states.
“I am here in dual capacity as an honouree and a representative of the
Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Professor Nelson Brambaifa. I am
giving assurances that whatever is required in the area of infrastructural
development would be done.”
Amadi acknowledged Prof Brambaifa as an Akpor man based on the fact that he
had been a professor at the University of Port Harcourt, hosted by Choba
community, an integral part of Akpor kingdom.
The EDFA stated: “I thank the people of Akpor kingdom for bestowing this
honour on me and I assure you that I will not let you down. More
importantly, I will not let Ikwerre people down, especially our leader, the
Minister of Transport, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
“I promise to make Ikwerre people proud by discharging my duties at the
NDDC creditably, such that they will not regret supporting the Federal
Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
The Nye-Nwe Ali Isiokpo and the Chairman of Supreme Council of Ikwerre
Traditional Rulers, Eze Blessing Wagor, Eze Wagor had at a reception for
the EDFA in Isiokpo, appealed for more infrastructural development in the
Ikwerre Local Government Area.
*Ibitoye Abosede, Ph.D*
Director, Corporate Affairs
February 12, 2019.