By Foster Akpore
The South South Reawakening Group (SSRG) has expressed grave concerns over the persistent political interference in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), warning that it is undermining the agency’s ability to fulfill its mandate and promoting instability in the Niger Delta region.
In a statement signed by the group’s convener, Joseph Ambakederimo, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas, the group condemned the growing trend of disrupting the leadership tenure of appointed NDDC officials. According to the group, such interference has caused the NDDC to suffer “stuttering jerks,” with appointees rarely completing their full tenure, thereby hindering continuity and progress in the region.
Ambakederimo called on President Bola Tinubu to uphold the sanctity of the NDDC Act, which governs the tenure of its leadership, stressing that uninterrupted leadership is crucial to achieving sustainable development in the Niger Delta. “We have warned before that incessant political interference is responsible for the stuttering jerks the NDDC has suffered in the past,” he said. “This trend is fast becoming a tradition in the NDDC and should be condemned and resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians, particularly the people of the region.”
The SSRG emphasized that allowing the current leadership under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, to complete its full tenure will ensure stability and accountability. Ambakederimo commended the Ogbuku-led board for its efforts in reviving the NDDC, creating a focused and improved working environment, and moving away from the “rancorous system” of the past.
The statement also took a strong stance against any attempts to impose interim management on the NDDC, calling it an aberration that goes against the NDDC Act. “We can see the hands of the buccaneers already at work,” Ambakederimo said, warning that such moves are aimed at destabilizing the region for personal gain.
In a comparison with the North East Development Commission (NEDC), Ambakederimo noted that the leadership turnover in the NDDC has been “astronomical” and not in the best interest of the region. He urged stakeholders to take a leaf from the NEDC, where political stability has fostered development.
The SSRG further highlighted the ongoing efforts by the current NDDC management to empower the region’s youth and women through entrepreneurial skills acquisition programs. Ambakederimo lauded these initiatives as key to sustainable development and called on the people of the Niger Delta to support the stability of the NDDC.
As President Bola Tinubu works towards stabilizing the Niger Delta and other sectors of the economy, Ambakederimo urged him to resist any pressure to remove the current NDDC leadership. He warned that such moves come from individuals who view the commission as their “personal patrimony” and seek to exploit its resources for selfish gains.
In conclusion, the SSRG reiterated its stance against regime change at the NDDC and called for strict adherence to the NDDC Act, ensuring that appointed officials complete their tenure and can be held accountable for their performance.
“The people of the region deserve continuity, accountability, and peace. Only by adhering to these principles can we unlock the full potential of the NDDC and ensure the sustainable development of the Niger Delta,” Ambakederimo stated.