Mkpoikana Udoma 14 July 2017, Sweetcrude, Port Harcourt – The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, has called on public officers to play less politics and focus on development initiatives that will improve the lives of citizens.
Ekere stated this when the executives and members of the association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, paid him a courtesy visit at NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
The NDDC boss urged the traditional rulers to intervene by advising their subjects who are public office holders and politicians to play less politics and govern more in other to bring true development to the people.
He acknowledged the role played by TROMPCON in ensuring peace and security in the various communities in the Niger Delta, adding that as “the hen that lays the golden eggs” the region could not be ignored.
“The royal fathers have played very key roles in ensuring peace in the region. We cannot afford to joke with the traditional rulers. I recognise your role in fostering peace in the region.
“We will continue to support TROMPCOM. We are already supporting the association in the upcoming conference of the traditional rulers in the Niger Delta.
“But then, let us focus less on politics and allow governance to flourish,” Ekere said.
Earlier, the Chairman of TROMPCON, Eze Akuwueze Ikegwuruka, noted that the royal fathers had underlined the importance of curbing illegal bunkering and other socio-economic vices in the Niger Delta, stating that this prompted the move to organize a conference to address the hydra-headed problems.
Ikegwuruka restated the position of TROMPCON on the statutory obligations of the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, NLNG, to the NDDC.
The monarch, who observed that the actions or inaction of the National Assembly impacts on the activities of the NDDC, regretted that the national budget, on which the fortunes of the nation lies, was often delayed.
“TROMPCON urges the NLNG as a gas processing company to comply with Section 14(1) of the Niger Delta Development Commission Act which stipulates that 3 percent of the total annual budget of any oil producing company operating on-shore and off-shore in Niger Delta, including gas processing companies under which the NLNG falls, is expected and requested to discharge its responsibility as constitutionally required without further delay.
“We also appeal to the National Assembly to henceforth expedite action on early passage of the NDDC budget to encourage effective administration of her services to the people of the region.”
