Reconstitution of NDDC Board: Beyond the Theatrics – Group

Besides stemming the incessant threats to the economic well-being of the country, it also guarantees a sense of belonging and buy-in by the Niger Delta people

A non-governmental and advocacy group that goes by
the name Citizens Quest for Truth Initiative has thrown its weight behind
the recent call for the reconstitution of the substantive board of the Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by stakeholders in the region, saying ‘is
highly commendable.’

The NGO in a statement signed and circulated to
journalists by its Founder/President, Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe said,

‘We at
Citizens’ Quest for Truth Initiative aligns ourselves to this clarion call. We
are, however, averse to the 7-day ultimatum issued to President Muhammadu
Buhari by Chief Tompolo to reconstitute the board or ‘risk a total
breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and
exploitation activities in the region.’

Text of the statement further reads:

‘Considering
the processes that are required for the nomination, screening, and inauguration
of the board members, we are indeed concerned and worried about the tone of urgency
in the ultimatum. Could it be a decoy by those that mercilessly raped the
fortunes of our region through the NDDC, too, once again, grandstand?

‘It is trite knowledge that in the event of any
breakdown of law and order, our people at the grassroots bear the brunt most.
Nothing should therefore be done,  in any

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guise, to unsettle the already fragile security cord in our region.

‘We believe that, rather than issuing threats of
a total breakdown of law and order in the region, our stakeholders must seek a
common platform to robustly engage the authorities.

‘No doubt, our people have gone through a lot of
rough shades, we should not act like the proverbial tortoise that was in the
pit toilet for six whole days, only to realize on the seventh day of its release,
that the stench of the pit was killing it.

‘It is public knowledge that the forensic auditors
already have the materials they are working with; therefore the fear of the
Auditors being distracted does not hold water. In view of this, we call on the
Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio to, address the
people of the region on the timeline for the forensic audit.

‘The circumstances, mostly legal issues, leading to
the appointment of a Sole Administrator to run the affairs of the Commission
are well-known. Having, therefore, empowered the forensic audit, we hereby join
our voice in appealing to Mr. President, to activate the processes of
inaugurating the substantive Board for the NDDC.

‘The benefits accruable from the timely inauguration
of the board are numerous. Besides stemming the incessant threats to the
economic well-being of the country, it also guarantees a sense of belonging and
buy-in by the Niger Delta people.

‘We are enthused by the fact that with the anticipated outcome of the forensic audit, it would no longer be business as
usual in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).’

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