Date Published: 02/09/10

Crisis in NDDC: Niger Delta transparency network calls for unity

The Niger delta transparency network is demanding that the executive arm of the NDDC comprising of the Managing Director, Executive Director Projects and the Executive Director Finance and Administration, come together immediately and resolve the lingering crisis between them heavily affecting the very essence which the interventionist body was formed; threatening it to its rock foundation..

According to a communiqué made available by President of the organization, Comrade Ade Tamunotonye Koko it reads; “the crisis between them which can be traced back to July 6 th 2009 urgently need to be resolved immediately, especially as this has stalled development, increased poverty, constituted bureaucratic bottleneck and had put paid to payment of contractors handling various jobs in the commission”.

According to Comrade Koko the aim of granting amnesty to our brothers so that the region will be developed by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alh. Musa Yar’Adua would be put in jeopardy as a result of the crisis in the board. Development will be retarded, especially if we consider that it was the main reason for the struggle and agitation by the region.

Hear him “Investigation by our organization reveals that the cause of the lingering crisis was based on power tussle between the executive Director projects and the Managing Director. Obviously the transparency Network is not here to lay blames or take side but to make frantic effort to ensure that things are put in their right perspective. NDDC which is a government interventionist agency is established by an act which guides it and part of the act indicates that the Managing director is not only the head of the commission, but is also in charge of the day to day running of the commission.

Similarly the executive Director projects has some level of executive powers as provided by the acts guiding the commission hence, we want them to come together and work for the overall interest and development of the region.

We also want to enjoin them to act quickly so that contractors are paid and mobilized to site for the development of the region”.

In a final note the organization warns “ we are giving them 14 days to resolve the issues between them and come together to work in  harmony for the development of the region, or else there will be a massive protest round where we will call for the dissolution of the board, this is the position of the Niger Delta Transparency Network