NDDC: ILG suspends 14-day ultimatum, insists on four-point demand

The Itsekiri Liberation Group, ILG, has suspended its 14-day ultimatum to shut-down all crude oil installations within their territory in Delta and Edo States and seal Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC Office in Delta State, until the Federal Government appoints and inaugurates a substantive Board for NDDC.

The group had on Saturday May 29, explained the shutdown threat was taken: "After accessing the recent happenings in the NDDC and the Niger Delta, the appointment of Interim Management Board and later Sole Administrator by the Federal Government of Nigeria, which negates the law that established the NDDC in the year 2000 and the attendant effects on the Niger Delta people (especially the Itsekiri people that produce over 22 percent of crude oil in Nigeria".

In a statement made available to Fresh Angle International this morning, Tuesday June 8, ILG noted that suspension of the ultimatum was reached: “After wide consultation with the Regent of Warri kingdom, the leadership of INYC and General Smart Omola a.k.a (Gentle Lion). We received information from our respective leaders on the consultative visit/meeting by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio and the outcome of the meeting with our Royal Father, The Olu – Designate. We are left with no option than to suspend the 14-day ultimatum”.

The statement signed by the Chairman and Secretary of ILG, Comrade Mone Oris and Ajofotan Omagbemi, respectively, insisted: “Notwithstanding the suspension of the ultimatum, we are still standing on our demands:

“1. NDDC Board should be constituted immediately by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs,

“2. An Itsekiri indigene should be appointed the Managing Director or Chairman of the Board that is to be constituted, 

“3. All ongoing projects in Itsekiri area should be adequately funded for speedy completion and new projects awarded in our communities, because we produce the highest quantum of crude oil and gas in Delta and Edo States.

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

While calling on contractors handling NDDC projects in Warri kingdom, to desist from executing substandard jobs, ILG frowned at the idea of running NDDC by either Interim Management or Sole Administrator, saying the practice should never be repeated.

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