Edith CHUKU
A group in the oil rich Niger Delta region known as Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta ANND, has hailed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umanah, for appointing Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua as the Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC.
The association through her leadership also commended the ministry for what they described as addressing the Niger Delta Ethnic Nationality 10 points Communiqué, which they said is aimed at solving the massive problems in the region.
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Also, the group called on the management of the NDDC to commence the payment of agricultural grants to cooperative societies, small and medium enterprise’s SMEs, farmers in the region to boost rural economy.
ANND, a frontline non-violence group in the region made this known to TNN by her secretary, Mr. Tonye Dokubo.
According to Dokubo, “the payment of Agricultural grants to Cooperatives, SMEs, to farmers would boost food security, promote entrepreneurial activities to engender economy prosperity at the local community for the stabilization of security ahead of Yuletide period and pave ways for 2023 general elections.
“We make this passionate appeal for NDDC to look critically the payment of agricultural grants to cooperatives and SMEs to farmers to boost agriculture and the local economy.
“On the payment for clearing of water hyacinth in the regional waterways, ANND urged NDDC to, “We also want the Commission to recommence payments for the clearing of water hyacinth on our waterways. we also appeal to NDDC to pay Niger Delta local contractors, as such move would go a long way towards boosting the local economy.
“ANND want to commend the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umanah, it is striking and noteworthy that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has acted upon the last communique of core Niger Delta stakeholders meeting held in Port Harcourt.
“The Minister’s appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari is noteworthy and timely, the appointment is geared towards positioning the administration in a blaze of glory. The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is one possessed with prepossessing achievements and a God sent.
“Dokubo also listed some of the demands of the core Niger Delta groups and stakeholders, which he said was acted upon by the minister to include, “the sacking of the previous sole administrator of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa, recommencement of work on the Ahoada section of the East/West Road, review of the indiscriminate employments in the NDDC by his predecessor and the Niger Delta Ministry liaising effectively with the National Assembly to fast track the release of 2021/22 budget.
He further hailed Audu for his efforts in erosion control and embankments in riverine communities, even as he called on stakeholders in the region and beyond to, “give tremendous and holistic support to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, to actualize the good plans for the people of the Niger Delta communities.”
