Political interference has been identified 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.
The National Coordinator of the South-South Reawakening Group (SSRG), Joseph Ambakederimo, made the observation on Tuesday during a media chat to mark his birthday in Warri, Delta State.
He said the forensic audit of the operations of the NDDC, which was initiated by the former Minister of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, apart from whatever gains it recorded, has succeeded primarily in erasing any form of citizen confidence in the commission.
“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 its 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 is the funding of the commission, taking into consideration the present economic realities on the ground.
“We will advocate that more funding be made available to the commission for it 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 group, however, recommended six things 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%.
“The 3 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.”
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