‘Political Interference, Disservice to NDDC’

Sylvester Idowu in Warri

The National Coordinator of South South Reawakening Group, (SSRG), Mr. Joseph Ambadekerimo, has identified political interference as the greatest disservice that has negatively affected the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in delivering its mandate to the people of the development-starved Niger Delta region.

Ambakederimo, made this observation yesterday during a breakfast/media chat to mark his birthday in Warri, Delta State

He recalled that the forensic audit of the operations of the interventionist agency was initiated by the former Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio. 

He said: “The political interference is responsible for the high turnover of appointments of officials to oversee the workings of the commission, and this hasn’t gone down well as it impacts negatively on the performance of even persons who may have the willpower to bring positive change to the region because they are removed when they are almost getting set to sit properly to work.

“Therefore, in this circumstance, how would one hold anyone to account for his stewardship? This must be looked into by President Bola Tinubu to ensure that appointed persons serve out their tenure, and this has to start with the present management team headed by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku so that a clear-cut demonstration of seriousness on the part of the government can be seen by the people.

“The record has to be set straight; the people should be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt with proof of the willpower on the part of the government to do things differently this time around.”

Another issue that has to be touched on, according to Ambadekerimo, is the funding of the commission in view of the present economic realities on the ground.

He advocated that more funding should be made available to the commission to meet the ever-increasing demands of the oil-producing communities.

“Amounts that are in excess of three trillion are short-remitted to the NDDC by the federal government. The federal government is hereby urged to show magnanimity and release these funds to the commission as soon as possible.

 “Section 14, Subsection 2 (a)–(c) of the Act establishing the commission clearly states how the commission shall be funded, amongst others,” he disclosed.

The national coordinator of SSRG, however, recommended six things that the President Bola Tinubu-led administration should address urgently if the NDDC is to truly fulfil its mandate.

According to him, political interference must be curtailed to stem the high turnover in the appointment of the members of the board of management, with the retention of the present management team led by Dr. Samuel Ogbuku “so that we can begin to hold them to account.

“The fifteen per cent contribution from the federal government has become inadequate; therefore, we are calling on the President to immediately send an executive bill for the amendment of relevant sections of the NDDC establishment Act to increase its share of contribution to 25 per cent.

“The 3.0 per cent contribution from the oil and gas companies should be increased to 10 per cent. The ecological fund should be increased to 70 per cent, and an appreciable percentage of gas flare charges should be paid to the NDDC.

“NDDC should be considered to benefit from the recent and future windfall of revenue shared with various entities by the Federal government,” he suggested.