By Emma Obe
The immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, has called for the immediate reconstitution of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
In a press statement issued on Thursday, Senator Dickson, said with the successful relocation of the headquarters of NDDC to its building in Port Harcourt, it had become necessary for the board of the commission to be constituted so that it could “clear the mess in the commission.”
He therefore urged the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswsill Akpabio, to consult with stakeholders and guide the President to constitute the board of NDDC.
“While the ongoing forensic audit of the NDDC is being finalized, the President can send the names to the Senate for appropriate action. The Niger Delta people need a functional NDDC Board to begin to clear the mess in the commission.
“I call on the President to follow the NDDC Act in the composition of the expected board by which Bayelsa should have the Managing Director.
“I am against the call that the Niger Delta Development Commission be transferred to the Presidency. I advise stakeholders and some leaders in the Niger Delta who are advocating such a move to withdraw as it is not in the best interest of the Niger Delta,” Dickson said.
He said rather than advocate the relocation of NDDC to the Presidency because some people do not like the face of the Minister, “We should not hesitate to point out errors on the part of those who are superintending over the affairs of the NDDC. But it is against Niger Delta interest to move the supervision of the NDDC to any other place other than the ministry of the Niger Delta.
I have no rift with Gov. Diri -Ex Gov. Dickson says
“The Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs was created for us by a man who meant well for Nigeria and the Niger Delta, the late President Umar Yar’Adua. The establishment of the Ministry and the Amnesty programme are two legacies of President Musa Yar’Adua that will continue to serve the national interest,” Dickson added.
