Ex-agitators in the Niger Delta have applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's alleged decision to relinquish executive control over the Niger Delta Development Commission, or NDDC.
In a statement released in Port Harcourt, the National Secretary of the First Phase Ex-agitators, Mr. Nature Dumale, said it was heartening to learn that the NDDC would now directly report to the President, similar to the North East Development Commission (NEDC).
He referred to the outcome as "like a prayer being answered" and noted that he had before led an effort to have the panel immediately under the President's control.
Dumale, who also serves as the Chairman of the Strategic Communication Committee for the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), claimed that Tinubu had shown, via this one gesture, his sincere desire to improve the fortunes of the NDDC.
He argued that the lack of development in the Niger Delta over the years was caused by greedy people being permitted to turn various Federal Government interventions for the area into personal estates.
"We would like to take this occasion to thank you, Mr. President, for your prudent decision to reinstate the NDDC in the Presidency.
"We think that this will hasten the region's development and end the practice of using the Commission as a cash cow.
"For us, it is evidence that the President has excellent intentions for the Niger Delta since he has rallied political support to return the interventionist agency to the Presidency. This indicates that he desires proper management of the NDDC.
We can state with confidence that the Niger Delta has suffered because of poor administration since we were once agitators. The much-touted development of the Niger Delta would materialize as a result of this action, which will foster accountability and transparency.
"This is a positive step Mr. President has done for us as regional leaders. We think the NDDC, under the direction of the Presidency, would promote significant growth.
"The only time we saw any progress was when NDDC was directly supervised by the Presidency. The Niger Delta Cartel, whose sole goal is to keep the Niger Delta underdeveloped, turned it into a cash cow as soon as it was transferred to the Ministry of the Niger Delta, he claimed.
The Niger Delta Recovery Plan (NDRP), which required the ministries of petroleum, environment, and Niger Delta affairs to work in concert in defining the region's development, was also found, according to Dumale. This was in addition to the NDDC and the PAP.
We live in a society where the federal government regularly takes away a lot, but there isn't anything to show for it, he said. The state of the East-West road's Ogoni-Onne-Eleme Road immediately comes to mind. Free movement of products has been rendered impossible since the road has continued to be a death trap.
"We support President Tinubu and look forward to the rapid growth of our country with great enthusiasm and renewed vigor."
He forewarned that the former agitators would no longer put up with poor management of their commonwealth since they were equipped with knowledge and tactics to hold their leaders accountable.
"We have the power, and we won't use force against anyone," he continued. We have received training in effective communication and how to present our case to the United Nations.
"As a result, we will challenge and interrogate our leaders in a civilized and strategic manner. People misuse funding intended for our region without being held accountable, thus there is no responsibility. It won't be business as usual if Niger Delta youngsters are exposed and unearth financial crimes committed against them on a regular basis.
Dumale urged President Tinubu to order the NDDC to release the commission's forensic audit report, adding that those liable for misusing the commission's funds must face justice.
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