Mkpoikana Udoma
NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, appealed during an interactive session with members of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt.
Iyaye urged the monarchs to play a key role in checking the activities of oil thieves, assuring them that over N300 billion has been approved for development of the Niger Delta in 2024.
He said, “We need the traditional institution to assist the government and the security agencies to protect our oil assets. Your Majestys, you have big roles to play in protecting our oil assets and projects in the state. If there is no oil theft, there will be more allocation for the Niger Delta. I urge you all to try as much as you can to protect our resources and stop economic sabotage in our region.”
“We recognise the importance of the traditional rulers. Addressing this council today is a great privilege. It is like addressing the entire Rivers State through traditional rulers, representing the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.
“Rivers State is one of the major oil producers in Nigeria, contributing about 33percent of the oil revenue of the country. No government can afford to disregard the state.
“I want to assure you that 2024 will be a better year for all of us. The NDDC Board will meet with you again at the appropriate time to exchange ideas. The National Assembly has approved over N300 billion in the budget for the Niger Delta and the NDDC board will deploy the money for development projects in the various states.”
Also, the Rivers State Representative on the Board of NDDC, Chief Tony Okocha, lamented that Rivers state had about 953 uncompleted NDDC projects, noting that the interaction would help to find out what happened.
“The NDDC has had a negative trajectory over the years but we assure you that this new NDDC, through the initiatives of the current Board, will bring positive change. We have started the process of change which conforms with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. This interactive session is an indication that we have set the ball rolling.
“Why were the projects abandoned? One of the reasons is the frequent change in the NDDC leadership. The issue of non-payment con of tractors is also part of the problem.”
Responding, the Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, Nyeweli Ohna Sergeant Awuse, noted that the interactive session was a welcome development from the NDDC.
“We are elated and appreciative of the move to meet the leadership of traditional institutions in Rivers State. The NDDC has had so many problems in the past but change has come. I thank Mr. President for what he is doing, a glance at the Board of the NDDC shows that the members were carefully selected.
“This is the first time that the NDDC is reaching out to the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers for an interactive session. We are not taking this gesture for granted and we will give them our support and pray they discharge their duties well for the Niger Delta region.”
