Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw , chairman,
Board of the Niger Delta Development
Commission (NDDC),said non- remittance of
over N800 billion funds has adversely
affected the operations of the commission.
Ewe-Henshaw, in company of other members of the board, including the managing director and chief executive officer of NDDC, Bassey Dan-Abia, yesterday, July 7, 2015, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state.
L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole , Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Board Chairman, NDDC and Bassey Dan-Abia MD/CEO NDDC Giving his remarks, NDDC board chairman explained the money was legally due to the commission but has remained unremitted since 2001.
He lamented poor funding has prevented the commission from creating the right business investment and employment opportunities for the people of the region.
READ ALSO: Read What Ex-Militants Want From Buhari He affirmed that the commission is still committed to helping the plights of the Niger Delta,hence, urged Oshiomhole to intervene on behalf of the commission to get the funds released “We are not unaware of the negative perception of our people, but as a board we have come determined to change that.
Vision of the board is one that can provide a platform and the avenue for integrating and developing the Niger Delta sub-region through strategic intervention and key infrastructure development in road, rail and education,” Ewa-Henshaw said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in response, promised to present the issue for discussion when the governors of the South-South region meet later in the month.
He added they will discuss how they can collaborate to help the commission fulfills its responsibilities and get support from appropriate authorities.
Oshiomhole urged the NDDC board to embark on major infrastructure projects that will benefit the people of the region.
He noted that the condition of the South-South will be effectively serviced with an efficient and effective rail system irrespective of political party affiliations.
“One major weakness I have observed in the running of the commission is that it has been over-politicized.
It was not meant to be a political vehicle.
Nigeria has opted for a multiple political democracy and our people from time to time could replace a government and a political party.
No party will be too good to govern forever.
Regardless of the government, there are certain key principles that must never be sacrificed, namely that composition of the Board must be made of people who bring to it the aspirations of their respective states” he advised.
READ ALSO: Jonathan Had A Chance To Change The Niger Delta But…
Edo governor also advised the commission to liaise with appropriate authorities in each state.
He however, assured the visiting team of Buhari’s support “I am very confident that President Muhammadu Buhari, given his passion for development as a trusted friend of the poor masses which is his own main constituency, will do everything possible to look at the letter and the spirit and do what ever has to be done to ensure that the law of NDDC is complied with.” he assured.
Ewe-Henshaw, in company of other members of the board, including the managing director and chief executive officer of NDDC, Bassey Dan-Abia, yesterday, July 7, 2015, paid a courtesy visit to Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo state.
L-R: Governor Adams Oshiomhole , Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Board Chairman, NDDC and Bassey Dan-Abia MD/CEO NDDC Giving his remarks, NDDC board chairman explained the money was legally due to the commission but has remained unremitted since 2001.
He lamented poor funding has prevented the commission from creating the right business investment and employment opportunities for the people of the region.
READ ALSO: Read What Ex-Militants Want From Buhari He affirmed that the commission is still committed to helping the plights of the Niger Delta,hence, urged Oshiomhole to intervene on behalf of the commission to get the funds released “We are not unaware of the negative perception of our people, but as a board we have come determined to change that.
Vision of the board is one that can provide a platform and the avenue for integrating and developing the Niger Delta sub-region through strategic intervention and key infrastructure development in road, rail and education,” Ewa-Henshaw said.
Governor Adams Oshiomhole, in response, promised to present the issue for discussion when the governors of the South-South region meet later in the month.
He added they will discuss how they can collaborate to help the commission fulfills its responsibilities and get support from appropriate authorities.
Oshiomhole urged the NDDC board to embark on major infrastructure projects that will benefit the people of the region.
He noted that the condition of the South-South will be effectively serviced with an efficient and effective rail system irrespective of political party affiliations.
“One major weakness I have observed in the running of the commission is that it has been over-politicized.
It was not meant to be a political vehicle.
Nigeria has opted for a multiple political democracy and our people from time to time could replace a government and a political party.
No party will be too good to govern forever.
Regardless of the government, there are certain key principles that must never be sacrificed, namely that composition of the Board must be made of people who bring to it the aspirations of their respective states” he advised.
READ ALSO: Jonathan Had A Chance To Change The Niger Delta But…
Edo governor also advised the commission to liaise with appropriate authorities in each state.
He however, assured the visiting team of Buhari’s support “I am very confident that President Muhammadu Buhari, given his passion for development as a trusted friend of the poor masses which is his own main constituency, will do everything possible to look at the letter and the spirit and do what ever has to be done to ensure that the law of NDDC is complied with.” he assured.
No comments:
Post a Comment