The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission,
NDDC, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei says that the positive impact of
the Commission’s infrastructural projects and skills acquisition
programmes help to curb the incidence of pipeline vandalism in the Niger
Delta region.
Prof Pondei was speaking when he hosted a contingent from the Nigerian
Naval War College, led by the Commandant, Rear Admiral Adeseye Ayobanjo,
at the NDDC new permanent headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer observed that pipeline vandalism had
reduced significantly over the past five years, noting that it
contributed to economic and social stability in the Niger Delta region.
He said that this was achieved by engaging the youths through skill
acquisition and economic empowerment programmes.
The NDDC, Pondei noted, was established for the specific purpose of
addressing agitations that arose from the Niger Delta region being
underdeveloped. He said: “Over the years, there have been training
programmes that have absorbed the youths and the current focus at the
NDDC is to expand these training programmes to keep the youths away from
pipeline vandalism and other crimes.”
Pondei further said that it was not the job of the NDDC to engage in
pipeline security and surveillance, stating that the Commission was
rather focused on interventionist programmes which ensured stability in
the region.
The NDDC boss explained that such interventionist programmes included
skills acquisition programmes, as well as Post-graduate scholarships
covering Masters and Doctorate Degrees for youths of the Niger Delta
region. He said the Commission was looking at proposals to extend its
scholarship scheme to undergraduates in Nigerian Universities.
Earlier, the Commandant of the Nigerian Naval War College, Rear Admiral
Ayobanjo said the Warfare Course 4 participants were on a study tour of
key stakeholders who impact on the security and stability of the Niger
Delta region.
He said the theme of the Course is, “Curbing Pipeline Vandalism; Towards
Enhancing Socio-economic Development in Rivers State.” Ayobanjo
commended the NDDC for its critical role in the security of the region.
In his own remarks, the NDDC Acting Executive Director, Finance and
Administration, Mr. Effiong Akwa, said that winning the war against
criminality entailed using the right strategy, because according to him,
“real victory in warfare is obtained not by firing shots but by
understanding and dialogue.
“Visiting the NDDC and other stakeholders will enable you to achieve
real victory without firing a shot. Stopping the pipeline vandals
without necessarily waiting for them to do the damage first.”