Former militant leader, Asari Dokubo, has called upon President Bola Tinubu to take action regarding the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Dokubo is advocating for the discontinuation of the NDDC and a return to the former Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission, OMPADEC.
Dokubo argues that reinstating OMPADEC, established in 1992, is essential due to the expansion of oil-producing communities beyond the confines of the Niger Delta region. He asserts that the name change from OMPADEC to NDDC in 2000 implies that the NDDC was primarily created to address the concerns of oil-producing areas solely within the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
In his statement, the former militant leader emphasizes, "Mr. President, I am grateful and wish to commend your decision to reinstate the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. This decision shows your determination, reflects your deep understanding of the challenges and unique needs of the Niger Delta region, and demonstrates your commitment to addressing them."
Dokubo acknowledges that OMPADEC was established to rehabilitate and develop oil-producing areas of Nigeria that were adversely affected by ecological degradation and environmental pollution. He highlights that OMPADEC's programs encompassed oil-producing regions even outside the geographical confines of the Niger Delta.
He further expresses, "The change of nomenclature from OMPADEC to NDDC suggested that the commission was established to address the agitation of only oil-producing areas in the Niger-Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers."
Dokubo implores President Tinubu to consider returning the NDDC to its original OMPADEC nomenclature, focusing on its core mission of rehabilitating and developing oil-producing areas throughout Nigeria, including regions such as Abia, Anambra, Imo, Kogi, and more.
Concluding his plea, Dokubo acknowledges President Tinubu's decision to reinstate the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, recognizing its role in coordinating and implementing programs aimed at promoting sustainable development, peace, and stability within the oil-rich region.
In full:
“The change of nomenclature from OMPADEC to NDDC suggested that the commission was established to address the agitation of only oil-producing areas in the Niger-Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.
“Mr. President, I beg you to consider returning NDDC to OMPADEC nomenclature, with its core mandate of addressing issues of rehabilitating and developing the oil-producing areas of Nigeria, including Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Kogi, Rivers and any other area blessed with oil mineral.
“From the foregoing, it is clear that NDDC has no relation with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Oil-producing areas should be treated on their merit, while the Niger Delta areas of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states should be treated solely as Niger Delta from a geographic and scientific point of view.”
“Among all attempts to address the agitation of the Niger Delta, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is a direct attempt plays a vital role in coordinating and implementing programmes and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development, peace, and stability in the oil-rich region.”
إرسال تعليق