By Ayo Yusuf
Prominent Ijaw leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for the removal of Abia, Imo and Ondo states from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Commission, which was established by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2000 with the sole purpose of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria, comprise Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers states.
Among the core mandates of the commission is the provision of a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the Niger Delta Region and to facilitate its rapid and sustainable development into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.
However, Chief Clark has noted that some of the states that were included in the 2000 NDDC Act were merely added for convenience, leading to a political aberration.
The former national commissioner therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to enact a new bill for the major oil producing states of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Edo and Akwa Ibom.
Recently, the new Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, promised to meet the expectations of the people of the region.
Dr. Ogbuku spoke at the weekend when the Ezue Obhan Anyama, in conjunction with the Council of Traditional Rulers in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, bestowed a chieftaincy title on him describing him as a light shining on all Niger Delta communities.
Accepting the award, the MD described the honour given to him as a call to higher service to the people.
He said: “I am confident that I will not fail to meet the expectations of the people. I know that you will support me to succeed and build more pillars for the development of our communities.”
In a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, the MD restated the commitment of the Commission to make a difference in the region.
He promised to work hard to build pillars that would reinforce the structures set up to drive the sustainable development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region.
He said: “We must unite and work in one accord to surmount the development challenges that confront our people. We are determined to succeed and there should be no excuse for failure.”
