Youth groups from the nine Niger Delta states under the aegis of
Concerned Citizens of Niger Delta (CCND), are seeking more funding for
the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The group urged the Federal Government to release the backlog of
allocations owed the Commission to enable the agency fulfill its core
mandate of developing the region.
Speaking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, President – General of the
coalition, Comrade Michael Uduefe, said the increased funds was
necessary for the commission to grapple with fresh challenges of
developing the youths in the area to stem militancy in the region.
He said the new board of the commission has shown more commitment to
improving infrastructure and human capital development.
He stated that several contractors have been mobilised for road work,
educational and scholarship grants to local and foreign students, as
well as vocational training for youths in the region.
“More funding has become necessary to enable the new board led by
Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, to sustain the ongoing drive to douse tension
in the region.
“Unlike previous Managing Directors, who used the agency as a
springboard towards the attainment of elective political office, Prof.
Brambaifa, has no such ambition and that is why he is so passionate in
taking development across all Niger Delta states in the last three
months.
“In line with the change mantra of the All Progressives Congress (APC)
– led Federal Government, the current NDDC board has taken it upon
itself to run an all inclusive government involving all the nine Niger
Delta states and turning around the lives of Niger Deltans and their
environs to what it should be.
“We are very pleased with the development strides of the Commission in
the last couple of months, with various contractors being paid to
deliver on quality jobs across the region.
“Therefore, we are warning those political jobbers who see NDDC as the
only platform for them to further their political aspirations and
ambitions to steer clear and allow the board under Prof. Brambaifa to
deliver the promises of Mr. President to the people of Niger Delta,”
he said.