Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Joi Nunieh, has insisted on suspension of the monthly payment of N1billion to a consultant who collects money from oil multinationals on behalf of the Commission.
Dr Nunieh, who addressed Ogoni youths that paid a solidarity visit to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said that no one would be allowed to deprive the people of their resources.
She emphasised that the Commission did not need middlemen to collect statutory funds due to it, assuring that the Interim Management Committee of the Commission will defend the wealth of the people of Niger Delta region.
“I have been in the Niger Delta struggle from the beginning, and these people are beneficiaries of the struggle. But we will not allow them to take the money belonging to the people of the Niger Delta.
“We have a consulting firm engaged as a collection agent. We have another company that also collects 3percent whenever money is paid by the International Oil Companies.
“We don’t need a middle man to collect 3 percent for gas. The money should just be paid into NDDC accounts with the CBN.”
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Nunieh thanked the people of the Niger Delta for trusting members of the Interim Management Committee.
“I want to thank Mr. President especially, for believing in us and insisting on upholding the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The President said that he will act in accordance with the Act establishing the NDDC. And the Act says that after Cross River, Delta will produce the Chairman, but some people do not want Delta to be Chairman. They don’t have the right to dictate. They will only obey the provisions of the Act and as good citizens we stand on the provisions of the NDDC Act.”
The NDDC boss assured that development would be taken to all nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta region, urging the youths to go back to their communities because the NDDC would meet them there.
She said that the forensic audit ordered by the President would help the NDDC to recover all funds that were illegally taken away from it, adding that the payment of three percent for gas had also been cancelled.
“We are bringing development to the communities.Anywhere you come from in the Niger Delta, NDDC is coming to your villages, every village will have water to drink, every village will have primary health facility.
“We will work with all the governors and stakeholders in the region.”
The Leader of the Ogoni youths, Mr. Felix Nwidag, said that Niger Delta youths were solidly behind the NDDC three-man Interim management Committee, stating that nothing would shake their resolve to ensure that it succeeded.
