By Osahon Osahon
Ethnic nationalities in the Niger Delta region have lauded the House of Representatives on its directive to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to dissolve the three-man Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The ethnic groups under the aegis of Niger Delta People Confederation (NDPC), however, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to inaugurate the new NDDC board following their screening and clearance by the Senate.
In a statement signed by the group’s Coordinator-General and Secretary-General, Iyamu Osaro Culture and Ovie Kenneth respectively, noted that now that the nominees had been cleared by the Senate, they should be sworn in without further delay.
It particularly hailed the House of Representatives for the immediately dissolution of the three-man interim committee by Akpabio.
They charged the new NDDC Board to commence rapid infrastructural and human development in the region.
It stated, “We wish to unequivocally state that we are in support of the position of the House of Representatives urging the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to immediately dissolve his illegal 3-man interim Committee, otherwise, the House and Senate will not hesitate to discontinue with the 2020 appropriation and budget process of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“We want to urge President Buhari to use his power to direct the new NDDC Board Members to immediately take charge of NDDC, in view to commencing rapid infrastructural and human development in our Region.”
Recall that the House of Representatives had on Wednesday resolved to halt further consideration of the 2020 budget of Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs over the appointment of an interim Committee to manage the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The lower legislative chamber also urged the Senate to stop further action on the ministry’s budget over the “illegal appointment.”
