Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has condemned the posture of
some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta Region that behave as if they own
the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).
Governor Wike said the commission belongs to all States in the region
and no one particular ethnic group can assert itself as the dominant
owner of the commission as has been observed of recent.
The governor made the declaration when he played host to the Interim
Management Committee of NDDC on courtesy visit to Government House, Port
Harcourt on Tuesday.
Governor Wike said members of those groups always kick against the
appointment of people to head the commission because they feel such
persons are not from core Niger Delta States, which he stated must stop.
“Anybody can be appointed in Niger Delta. There are people who believe
that if they appoint somebody from Edo or Cross River States for
example, they say no. That those people are not the core Niger Delta
states. We must have to stop that.”
The governor also said such people also leave their states and come to
Rivers state to block the gates of the commission, cause crisis and
frustrate economic activities.
“NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region. It
does not belong to anybody. There are people who have seen themselves
that they are the owners of NDDC. They leave their state and come to
NDDC to block NDDC gate .We are peaceful people, but nobody should push
us to the point where we can tell you enough is enough.”
Governor Wike further continued: “The next time they try it again to
cause crisis in our state, I’ll mobilise our people against them. I am
not saying if you have grievance with NDDC you shouldn’t seek how to
settle it. But don’t use it to cause problem for us, to begin to make
economic activities not to move on.”
The governor challenged the new interim leadership to determined to make
a difference, change the current narrative of the commission serving
outsiders interest and abandoning it’s core mandate of developing the
region.
Governor Wike said people are abusing the entire region because the
commission has wasted trillions of Dollars without lifting the masses
of the region out of poverty or commensurate developmental projects on
ground to show for the funds received .
“The problem with us is that you allow people outside to control you.
You want to have godfathers from East, West and North. NDDC is created
for Niger Delta. Use the money for the people and region.
“They are abusing us that Niger Delta is a curse. Trillions of dollars
have been spent, and we cannot say this is what we have spent the money
on.
“Those Abuja portfolio contractors are part of the people controlling
you. They tell you what to do and you do it for fear that they will
remove you. But eventually, you will be removed. So, why not work for
the people. When you’re removed, you’ll know you did your best for the
region.”
Governor Wike also charged the interim management to always work with
all the state governors in the region on equal footing, and without
politics so that together, they can achieve desired development.
“Go and visit every governor because they are members of the governing
council of NDDC and they are the leaders of the states. You don’t need
to entangle yourself with unnecessary bickering, politicking . Show a
difference.”
The governor cautioned the NDDC management to obey subsisting court
order that makes mandatory for the commission to seek the consent of the
state government before embarking on any project, particularly in Rivers
State. He warned that if the commission defies the state government,
then, the commission will be dragged to court for contempt.
“I will not hesitate to tell the Attorney General to file contempt
against officials of NDDC and NDDC itself. We will not hesitate.
Because we have come to the time that Nigerians must understand we must
follow rules. The only way you can talk about good governance is when
you obey the rule of law. There cannot be good governance when there is
nothing to show you obey the law. Good governance is predicated on the
rule of law.”
He urged them to conceptualise regional project for execution to end the
piecemeal partner they had adopted, which has not moved the region
forward in terms of infrastructural development.
“I’ve always said to people, when you have the opportunity to make
contribution to the development of your fathers land, you must see it as
blessing God has given you. You must not see it as a way to set back
your region.
Governor Wike also urged NDDC to send their partnership support towards
the reconstruction of the ongoing dualisation of Eastern By Pass Road
where the NDDC permanent headquarters is located.
He told them to put their temporary office along Aba Road in good
condition before moving out to their permanent headquarters office.
Earlier, the Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the
NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa said the visit was first to be undertaken by his
team to any governor in the region.
Akwa informed the governor that with the newly built permanent NDDC head
office now completed, they are ready to commission it on 25th February,
2021.
The Interim Administrator on behalf of the commission later presented
six waste disposal trucks to the Rivers State Government to improve the
sanitary conditions in the state.
Governor Wike noted that this is the first time in his administration
that the commission was offering support to the Rivers State Government.
He commended them for demonstrating good corporate social responsibility
in encouraging the state government in its drive to restore Port
Harcourt to its Garden City status.