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Tag: NDDC Board

  • NDDC board: Itsekiri group suspends ultimatum to FG

    NDDC board: Itsekiri group suspends ultimatum to FG

    The Itsekiri Liberation Group (ILB) has suspended its 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government for immediate constitution of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    According to the group, the decision to suspend the ultimatum was sequel to consultations by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio with stakeholders of the Niger Delta region.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the ILG had on Saturday, May 29, threatened to disrupt economic activities in the area if after 14 days, the Federal Government failed to inaugurate the NDDC board.

    In a statement signed by its chairman, Mone Oris, the group said it relaxed the ultimatum after wide consultations with the Regent of Warri Kingdom, Prince Emmanuel Okotie-Eboh, the leadership of the Itsekiri National Youth Council (INYC) and an ex-militant leader, General Smart Omola (alias Gentle Lion).

    The statement which called for calm across the Itsekiri nation and Niger Delta at large, said that the decision was reached after being briefed of the outcome of the consultative meeting of the Minister, with the Olu-designate, Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko and other Itsekiri leaders.

    The statement reads in part: “Notwithstanding the suspension of the ultimatum, the leadership still stands on their demands that the NDDC board should be constituted almost immediately by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,

    “That an Itsekiri man should be made the Managing Director or Chairman of the board that is to be constituted.

    “That all ongoing projects in Itsekiri area be adequately funded for speedy completion and new projects awarded in Itsekiri areas because we produce the highest quantum of oil and gas in Delta and Edo states.

    “That Itsekiri should be accommodated in the recently employed staff of the commission and skill acquisition and other empowerment programmes of the commission.”

  • Buhari’s ministers; Sylva, Akpabio, speak on alleged rift over NDDC Board

    Buhari’s ministers; Sylva, Akpabio, speak on alleged rift over NDDC Board

    The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has denied claims by traditional rulers of Bayelsa West Senatorial District that he was at war with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over the latter’s nominee for a substantive Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Seven traditional rulers had in a letter they addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari kicked against alleged moves by Sylva to upturn Akpabio’s nomination of one Elder Denyanbofa Dimaro, who hails from Peretorugbene in Ekeremor, Bayelsa West, as the substantive Managing Director of the NDDC.

    But Sylva in a statement signed on Tuesday by his Special Adviser, Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, said he had no row with Akpabio over the formation of the NDDC board.

    He described the report that he was trying to truncate the chances of certain individuals from being Managing Director of the region’s apex interventionist agency as false and “a string of poorly thought-out and poorly crafted lies that should be totally disregarded and discarded.”

    The statement said Sylva had maintained excellent relations with Akpabio and that they considered themselves brothers and comrades in the quest of building a more prosperous Niger Delta and a stronger Nigeria.

    “Sylva is currently hosting the Nigeria International Petroleum Summit (NIPS) and while he has the development of the Niger Delta at heart, he is not fixated on who becomes who in the formation of the NDDC board.

    “He rather hopes and prays that for the sake of the development of the region, competent, committed, compassionate and patriotic people get appointed.

    “The architects of that story conveniently forgot to mention that the appointment of the NDDC executive members is strictly the prerogative of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    “The public is thereby advised to disregard that report as it is totally untrue, malicious and engineered purely for mischief.

    “Sylva will continue building harmony amongst Niger Delta leaders, the Honourable Minister will attract even more development to the region as he is doing and will keep working towards a more peaceful South-South region,” the statement added.

  • NDDC board: Akpabio meets ex-governor Uduaghan in Delta [Photos]

    NDDC board: Akpabio meets ex-governor Uduaghan in Delta [Photos]

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswil Akpabio, held a meeting with the immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan in his residence in Warri, Delta State on Friday.

    The meeting TheNewsGuru.com, TNG gathered is part of ongoing consultations with stakeholders of the Niger Delta region to ensure peace in the oil-rich region, in respect of the agitations for the swift inauguration of the NDDC board.

    The minister visited in the company of the sole administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Akwa Effiong.

    A Facebook post at about 8:58 pm on Friday by the former governor said issues bordering on fostering peace in the region was the focus of the meeting.

    “I had the pleasure to receive my brother, former Governor of Akwa-Ibom State and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs -Sen. Godswill Akpabio, at my country home in Warri earlier today.

    “We discussed sundry issues bordering on how to foster the enduring peace and ways to chart new developmental frontiers in our dear Niger Delta region,” the post stated.

    President of the Itsekiri National Youth Council, Weyinmi Agbateyiniro and youth leaders were present at the meeting.

    Akpabio, on Thursday, landed at the Osubi Airstrip, then boarded a speed boat in the company of Delta’s deputy governor, Kingsley Otuaro, to Oporoza, the country home of ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), in Warri Southwest.

    The meeting was held to persuade aggrieved people of the region, especially Tompolo, against following through with the threats to disrupts activities across the Niger Delta, by the end of a seven-day ultimatum which will expire midnight Saturday.

    According to reports, stakeholders had remained adamant during the meeting that the seven-day ultimatum stands.

    But Senator Akpabio told newsmen shortly after the meeting that he “will fast track the process” of inaugurating the board as soon as he returns to his office in Abuja.

    Deputy Governor Otuaro said the minister will be working closely with a selected team to ensure that the process commences and is settled immediately.

  • NDDC Board: Tompolo speaks after expiration of seven-day ultimatum, consultative meeting with Akpabio, others

    NDDC Board: Tompolo speaks after expiration of seven-day ultimatum, consultative meeting with Akpabio, others

    Ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), has “reluctantly” accepted the outcome of the consultative meeting between stakeholders of the Niger Delta and Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that this is coming hours to the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum issued by the Niger Delta warlord, Tompolo, last Sunday.

    The ultimatum had demanded the immediate constitution of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), otherwise, activities in the region will be disrupted.

    The full statement, signed by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), the Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation reads thus:

    “RE: PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO SHOULD AS A MATTER OF URGENCY CONSTITUTE THE SUBSTANTIVE BOARD OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC).

    “I issued a seven-day ultimatum on the above subject matter on Monday, May 31st, 2021. There were lots of concerns expressed by Nigerians on this matter within this period, hence machineries were put in place for consultations among Nigerians, especially from highly placed individuals and organizations from the Niger Delta region, including the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

    “As I expressed in my press statement of Monday, May 31st, 2021, I came into this matter because of love for the region and Nigeria. I make bold to say that I cannot be compromised by money and other material things. However, the only thing one can do for Nigeria in these trying times, where all the six geopolitical zones are in turmoil, is to pray to God for peace and tranquility, particularly for the economic hub of the country, the Niger Delta region.

    “Therefore, I welcomed the consultative meeting of our revered Traditional rulers from the region, Delta State Government, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) led by its President, Professor Benjamin Okaba, leaders from the Itsekiri, Urhobo, Isoko, Ndokwa and other Nationalities with the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio in attendance, at the traditional headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Oporoza town on Thursday June 3rd 2021.

    READ ALSO: NDDC board: Akpabio meets with ex-governor Uduaghan

    “The outcome of the meeting has been made known to the public by the Minister. He promised profusely to start the process of the constitution and inauguration of the substantive board of the NDDC immediately (from Friday, June 4th 2021), and that he should be allowed to drive the process to an end on or before the end of June 2021.

    “As it stands now, I have accepted the outcome of the meeting reluctantly. It is pertinent to state at this juncture that, I do not want anything to disrupt the relative peace we are enjoying in the region. It was on this premise that I accepted the outcome of the meeting. The ultimate goal in this issue is for the Minister to abide by the promise he has made to start the process of constituting the NDDC board now. Government shenanigans must be put away in this matter as constituting the NDDC board is very dear to the heart of the people of the region.

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    “I wish to thank all our revered traditional rulers for their fatherly role they played in the matter, my father, ground leader of the Ijaw Nation and elder statesman, Chief E. K Clark for his concern and intervention in this matter, the Governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa and his deputy, Barr Kingsley Brutu Otuaro for their intervention, The President of Ijaw National Congress, Professor Benjamin Okaba, The Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rare Admiral A. Hassan, Leaders of the various Ethnic Nationalities for their solidarity, Youths of all the Ethnic Nationalities from the region, Women groups and others too numerous to mention here. I say a thank you to all.

    “It is my prayer that the needful be done to develop the Niger Delta region as seen in advance climes.”

  • Tompolo’s ultimatum: Akpabio storms Delta, pledges to fast track NDDC board inauguration

    Tompolo’s ultimatum: Akpabio storms Delta, pledges to fast track NDDC board inauguration

    Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio on Thursday said the process of constituting a substantive Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board will be fast-tracked.

    He spoke after an emergency consultative visit to Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri Southwest of Delta State.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the minister’s visit was at the instance of the seven-day ultimatum issued by ex-militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) on Sunday.

    TNG observed that that Akpabio arrived in Delta State three days before the expiration of Tompolo’s ultimatum to inaugurate a substantive NDDC board.

    The minister stormed the creeks in the company of the NDDC sole administrator, Mr Akwa Effiong, Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro and top military officers.

    Traditional rulers from Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo states joined the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom to receive the minister.

    The minister said: “We had a robust discussion and consultation. The meetings have been fruitful. The consensus of stakeholders is that there is a need for more representation in the NDDC and so a board needs to be constituted.

    “I have also assured them that as soon as I get back, I will commence the process and fast track the process.

    “We have agreed that my office will fast-track the process of the constitution of the new board. We have also looked at what is affecting the region. The youths applauded, but they want to see more progress, more employment opportunities.”

    Asked about the fears surrounding the ultimatum, he said: “It is not a function of the ultimatum; it is a function of the fact that it was a call for the government to react to the aspirations of the people.

    “The issue of ultimatum is not something I can speak on because there is a process and it has to start with the minister. The major thing is that we have committed to work together to make sure that we give what the people want”.

    Otuaro added that the processes for the constitution of the board are to commence today.

    “We must not allow our region to boil. There has been a process set in place. The process is such that a critical set of people are meant to work very closely with him to ensure that the processes are expedited almost immediately by tomorrow, as soon as he gets to Abuja”.

    He said a communiqué on the consultation would be issued in due course.

     

  • Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has given President Muhammadu Buhari one month to constitute and inaugurate a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    President of the group, Peter Igbifa, said the group may be forced to disrupt socio-economic activities in the region if the President fails to meet the deadline.

    He said the disruption of activities may include interfering with the exploration of oil and gas and shutting down of movement on both land and waterways after the expiration of the ultimatum which began on Sunday, April 25.

    The Ijaw Youth Council said the use of interim administrators to run the affairs of the NDDC is depriving the region of equal representation which undermines even development.

    “We consider the NDDC a very critical commission for us in this region. And for this cause, we want to make it clear that between and the deadline if the board is not brought it, we may not be able to guarantee the safety of oil operations in the region.

    “Council will definitely shut down the entire region if Mr President fails to deliver on or before one month from today,” Igbifa said.

    The IYC President disclosed this after their stakeholders’ and national expanded executive council meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Sunday.

    He also urged the Federal Government to adequately monitor the progress of work on the East-West road, saying by their observation, the standard of work by the contractor is not satisfactory.

    He added that the completion of the rehabilitation of the East-West road should not exceed three months.

  • APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    APC blasts Niger Delta governors over comment on NDDC Board

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the opposition of governors of Niger Delta to the reconstitution of the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was shameful and disgraceful, asking the governors to concentrate on delivering the dividends of democracy to their people.

    In a statement by the National Vice Chairman, South South of the party, Ntufam Hilliard Eta, the APC said it was unfortunate that the governors were opposed to the appointment of those it called qualified Nigerians into the board of the NDDC.

    The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to various reports in the news and print media on the very shameful and disgraceful steps taken by South South Governors, on the recent appointments made by Mr. President, wherein very qualified sons of South South geo political zone were appointed into the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “Ordinarily, we would have ignored such disgraceful steps by men we thought could have known better, but it has become imperative that we stand in the defense of justice and for the benefit of Nigerians.

    “It is sad that these Governors of the Oil rich states of the Niger Delta who should be highly concerned by the level of poverty and deteriorating state of infrastructures in the zone, are rather being parochial, selfish and exhibiting the highest form of ignorance in governance.

    “They are only interested in ensuring that their family members, cronies and stooges are appointed to strategic positions, to the detriment of the generality of Nigerians.

    “The steps by these self-serving Governors just goes to show that indeed their election into such high offices were just a direct product of the subversion of the collective wills of the people in the last general elections. We view these steps taken by these Governors as very dishonorable and it shows that governance in our zone is at the lowest ebb.

    “Whereas, responsible leaders would have rolled out the drums in celebration and appreciative of Mr. President’s magnanimity in appointing eminent and qualified Nigerians of the South South extraction into the board of NDDC, Governors of the South South geopolitical zone, most of them from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, went on rampage, asking Mr. President to review the appointment, for whatever reasons. What a shame!

    “For us, we view this as crass irresponsibility, shameful display of ignorance, and opposition politics carried too far.

    “For the benefit of doubts, for those who may not be familiar with the trend of events in the South South (Niger Delta) region, irrespective of the humongous amount of monies the Governors of the zone receive from the federation account and security votes on a monthly basis, there is nothing to show in terms of development.

    “Under the watch of these Governors, there is high rate of unemployment, youths’ restiveness and its ugly consequences, kidnapping of innocent citizens for ransom by criminals, poor primary health care facilities or none existent in some areas, poverty, insecurity of lives, banditry and all vices are on the increase in the zone.

    “There is total decay of infrastructures in the zone and these Governors are doing nothing about it nor have a workable template on how to deliver democratic dividends to Nigerians of the South South zone.

    “It is very shameful that these governors have not exhibited capacity to govern the people, but just engaging in fanning the embers of their deflated egos, self-aggrandizement and getting involved in selflsh politics, while the people wallow in abject poverty and penury.

    “Our only consolation is that our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is challenging the charade that brought these darks of unreason to power at the various legal platforms.

    “We wish to use this medium to join millions of respected leaders and stakeholders nation-wide in thanking our amiable leader and President, President Muhammadu Buhari, for reconstituting the NDDC board; and for also appointing qualitied indigenes of the South South zone and qualified Nigerians into the board.