Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu on Wednesday underscored the need for the authorities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure the even spread of developmental projects across the nine member states.
They are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
Kalu gave the charge during an interactive session with the delegation from Ukwa People’s Consultative Council led by its President General, Sir. Don Ubani.
While expressing concerns raised by the delegation on the undue marginalisation of Ukwa as an oil producing Community, he affirmed that there is a need to ensure the equal spread of intervention projects of the NDDC across the nine states.
He said: “Like I mentioned, your area is known for oil production and the status of Abia State as a member of NDDC came as a result of your ability to produce oil and gas from Ukwa.
“Interestingly, some of the things you mentioned have been my concerns in the 9th Assembly, in regards to the spread of intervention programmes of the NDDC across the nine states and that led to the first visit of the acting MD that toured the state of Abia, Imo and other states.
“I was one of those who insisted that tour was necessary, to have a proper update of their presence in various parts of the states, to be able to establish whether or not, the report they see on papers is the same thing on ground.
“I totally agree with you that, what we have in Abia, as an oil-producing state and as a member of NDDC, comparatively speaking, is below average, in terms of developmental interventions.
“A call from the stakeholders that an improvement should take place, is definitely not a wrong call.
“This kind of engagement is actually commended by the leadership of the house. It is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. It is less expensive for us to engage like this and proffer solutions than to rush to Ukwa to quench the firing darts of the youth who are agitating for one thing or the other.
“This is an easier, cost-effective, peaceful approach to conflict resolution. So, I commend the leadership of the Ukwa community, the oil-producing community, for holding their youths and despite the fact that the development interventions have been below average, they have kept their heads peaceful and allowed all the IOCs to handle their operations peacefully in those communities.
“I encourage you to continue maintaining peace in Abia State, in Ukwa and in the Niger Delta. It is in peace that we will progress. It is in peace that our unity will be enhanced. It is a step in the right direction that you came and I want to assure you that, what your request has done, is to once again, beam the torchlight on the oversight functions of the NDDC Committee on the NDDC operations in the nine states, and especially now, in Abia State.
“They would now be able to look into their report. What is it that they did not do well previously? Especially in auditing the spread of projects equitably around the nine states of operations. I am from Abia and I am here as the Deputy Speaker, I promise you, that as the Chairman of the House Committee of the whole, that considers reports of various committees of the House, my special interest would be on this issue you have raised, going forward.
“Year one, year two, year three, year four of my tenure as deputy Speaker, I assure you, I would always ask questions, on how equitably, they balance their interventions.
“Your coming was well timed because we are about entering into the early days of the next budget and it will give us the right tools to measure the budget performance of the previous years, as well as look into the future of the coming budget, incorporating your demands and concerns,” Kalu assured.
Speaking earlier, Ubani who led the delegation solicited the support of the House leadership towards ensuring equity and fair distribution of developmental projects to Ukwa oil-producing communities of Abia State.
He said: “A time had existed in this system where the entire south East was shut out, but under the present administration at least our people have been given a sense of belonging, and that sense of belonging we are happy it’s from Abia State and you in particular we congratulate you.
“Today, farmers in the Ukwa federal constituency cannot farm effectively again because the fertility of the soil has been diminished because of many years of oil exploration and exploitation.
“Many of our people are fishermen because we are very close to Rivers State, our people are fishermen. They can’t fish today because oil exploitation has almost destroyed aquatic life, so, there’s trouble in the area.
“But interestingly the youths of the area have maintained a peaceful disposition. Those of us who are their elders have continued to tell them that two wrongs don’t make a right.
“Since the Federal Government has thought it wise to establish the Niger Delta Development Commission, yet most of the projects earmarked for the area have been abandoned. If you come into that place you will ask yourself is this an oil-producing state.
“We are here to plead with you and all those that believe in fairness and justice to come to the rescue of the Ukwa people. Our place is bad. There’s a lot of infrastructural decadence in that area.
“Let there be a manifestation of concern on the part of NDDC. Nothing so far has given us a course to be happy in an oil-producing area. We need to avoid situations that will create youth restiveness and the best way to do it is to make sure that there’s development.
“We are here in solidarity with you. Permit us your Excellency to inform you that the member representing Ukwa East and West, Hon. Chris Nkwonta whom we are well pleased enjoys our collective confidence, we are very sure he will be of usefulness as a member of the House committee on NDDC, in fairness and justice. The oil and gas that accord Abia state the unique status of an oil-producing state are in the Ukwa federal constituency.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
The nation’s commercial banking, ride-hailing, and telecommunications sectors dominated the list of brands that demonstrated…
•We are ready, says CPC caucus •Plans to unveil party this month THERE are indications…
•Why naira should trade below N1,000/$ — Expert Reduction of the spread between parallel…
WAVE of defections across the major political parties in the country may have significantly altered…
In a frantic pace to expedite action on claims settlement, the Nigerian insurance industry is…
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), deploying various reform measures, has curtailed the once-wide…
This website uses cookies.