OpeOluwani Akintayo
Lagos — Traditional rulers under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, has appealed to the Federal Government for proper funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to carry out its duties effectively.
Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje local government area of Ondo State, and National Secretary of TROMPCON, made the appeal at the weekend in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos.
Ogbaro also urged the government to release the pending NDDC’s funds in its coffers.
While commending members of the project monitoring and evaluation of Niger Delta Council, the Council said it appreciated the work being done by the new management team of NDDC in terms of quick payment to contractors to enhance development, urging the Board to ensure prompt payment of contractors to avoid abandoning of projects within the Niger Delta regions.
“On this note, we are appealing to the Mr. President to encourage this performing board to stabilise by given them enough time to put in place sanity in the system for sustainable development of the regions,” Ogbaro said
The traditional rulers also urged the government to allow NDDC to be independent and operate within the ambit of the act establishing it.
Ogbaro, while reaffirming the association’s support for the board, challenged it to reposition the Commission, by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.
The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the Commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.
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Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the commission’s Board.
“There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast-tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people’’.
“We also appeal to the government to allow the board to continue to steer the affairs of the commission towards effective transparency, accountability, and commitments,” Ogbaro appealed.
