Itsekiri leaders write Tinubu, reject move to replace NDDC with regional Commission

Influential Itsekiri group, Itsekiri Leaders of Thought, ILOT, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard pressure by some interests, pushing for the scrapping of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC  and replace it with the South - South Development Commission.                                    

The Itsekiri leaders in a letter dated February 18 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, posited that dissolving the NDDC, could disrupt ongoing projects in the oil and gas - rich Niger Delta and create administrative bottlenecks that might hinder, rather than accelerate development.                                  

In the correspondence signed by its chairman and secretary, Chief Edward Ekpoko and Sir Amorighoye Sunny Mene, respectively, ILOT, asserted that the NDDC and the proposed South - South Development Commission, should run separately of each other, noting that the South - South Development Commission, cannot undertake the role of NDDC, which is designed as an interventionist agency in the Niger Delta.                                

The letter stated inter - alia:"We congratulate Your Excellency for the establishment of geo-political
regional development commissions in Nigeria. "This we hope will transform
our Nation’s infrastructural landscape.

"2. Today, there are several regional development commissions that have been created like the North West, North East, South East, South West Development Commissions, etc.

"3. The South-South Development Commission bill has also been passed by the National Assembly, awaiting Your Excellency’s assent.

"4. We are aware of moves by certain persons and/or interests topersuade Your Excellency to scrap the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and replace it with the South-South Development Commission.

"5. Your Excellency, we as major stakeholder in the Niger Delta Region are opposed to this idea, which if implemented, will see the dissolution of the NDDC.

"6. The NDDC was established with a clear mandate to facilitate the infrastructural and socio-economic development of the oil-producing states of the country. While it has faced challenges over the years, its existence remains crucial to addressing the environmental, economic and social issues peculiar to the region. The environmental degradation which is peculiar to the Niger Delta was recognized by the Willink’s Commission before our independence.

"7. The NDDC is not only funded by the Federal Government but also by the IOCs. Therefore, it is purpose designed and driven.

"8. Therefore the South-South Development Commission, as are the other regional development commissions in its conception, cannot undertake the role of NDDC, which is designed as an interventionist agency in the Niger
Delta.

"9. Why we support the creation of the South-South Development Commission, we are strongly of the view that the NDDC should be run separately – both commissions run independently of each other.

"10. The proposed South-South Development Commission is very good and like the other geo-political zones, the South-South region deserves its own. However, it will not fully capture the unique needs and have the constitutional standing of the Niger Delta region as an oil-producing area.

"11. Moreover, dissolving the NDDC, an interventionist agency, could disrupt ongoing projects and create administrative bottlenecks that might hinder rather than accelerate development. This, to say the least, is capable of
disturbing the fragile peace in the Niger Delta.

"12. Your Excellency, the Niger Delta remains the economic back bone of our nation and its continued stability is vital for national growth. We trust that your administration, known for its commitment to increased oil and gas production, fairness and national development, will carefully consider this appeal and take steps to strengthen the NDDC rather than dissolve it."

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