Buhari means well for the Niger Delta – NDDC Chairman

The Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his determination to develop the Niger Delta region.

Speaking during the inaugural meeting of the Board at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, cited the increase in the budgets of the Ministry of Niger ~Delta Affairs, the NDDC and the Amnesty Programme, the new urgency for the completion of the East – West Road, the East – West Rail line, the Ogoni Clean up, as well as the recent dialogue with leaders from the region, and expressed faith “in President Buhari’s goodwill and good faith towards the region.”

Senator Ndoma-Egba expressed hope that these would be fully established, if the enabling environment would be created in the region, and called on “all the militant groups to stop the breaches and vandalisation of oil facilities.

“Their point has long been made,” he said. “Now they are inflicting injuries and suffering on themselves and our already hapless and helpless people. They should give us a chance to develop.”

The NDDC Chairman stated that development cannot occur without peace and security and called for collective action to ensure a more peaceful and secure region. He said: “We cannot complain about environmental pollution and degradation in the region and at the same time engage in activities like pipeline vandalisation and breaches that not only pollute the environment, but also shield those who should bear responsibility for the sorry state of our environment from liability.

“All of us from the region must take responsibility for peace and security in our own interest and in the interest of generations to come. All of us must be committed to the peace, security and prosperity of our region. It is our duty,” he said.