Akwa Ibom-based Pan-Niger Delta group, Niger Delta Conscience Coalition(NDCC), has condemned those opposed to Mr. Effiong Akwa’s appointment as interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC).
This is after some stakeholders and youth groups from certain parts of the Niger Delta have been expressing sentiments against the appointment of Akwa, an indigene of Akwa Ibom, as sole administrator of the NDDC by the Federal Government.
The group in a press statement to journalists on Thursday in Uyo also deplored protest by Ijaws youths against Akwa’s appointment which led to disruption of vehicular traffic around the Mbiama-Yenogoa road the 20th of December.
The NDCC maintained in the statement signed by its president, Aniefiok Obot and Secretary, John Jumbo, that every community and state in the region shared common challenges and destiny hence have equal stake in the Niger Delta.
”Believing in the spirit of oneness of the Niger Delta, and whereas Akwa Ibom people are known to be generally peaceful in their approach to issues of our regional co-existence, Niger Delta Conscience Coalition would have chosen to ignore and indeed has been ignoring quite a lot of activities of the Fifth Columnist in the Niger Delta struggle.
”But we have been forced to take a position now against some signals emanating from certain quarters of the Niger Delta areas since the appointment of a bona fide son of the Niger Delta, Chief(Barr) Effiong Akwa to the exalted position of interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) by the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari.
”Of particular interest referred here is the recently reported disruption of vehicular traffic flow by a section of the Ijaw youths movement around the Mbiama-Yenogoa on the 20th of December, 2020.
”There are several acceptable ways of engaging constructively, intelligently, productively and inclusively which may help the image of the region but the present posture of protest and blockades portray us as unfriendly for investment and therefore is capable of shifting the federal government and international investors interest and emphasis away from the region.” The statement said.
The group also said that it was not unconstitutional to appoint a sole administrator for the intervention agency as a precedence had already been set in appointment of Mrs. Joi Nunieh from Delta state and the recently exited Prof Pondei from Bayelsa state.
It appealed to Nigerians to support the federal government’s forensic audit of the NDDC, adding that the audit which has the support of Niger Delta governors would bring maximum benefits to the region.
