By Saidu Idris
Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has stressed the need for harmony between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and state governments in the region, for the benefit of the people.
He also added that the unhelpful disharmony between these critical stakeholders was caused by political differences and other factors.
Akpabio was speaking at the 4th Meeting of the National Council On Niger Delta, held in Port- Harcourt, Rivers State, which ended on Friday, December 18, 2020, where he represented President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to the Minister, “Development should not be tied to any political party, because what the people need is development, irrespective of political affiliation. Poverty and hunger have no political party.”
Akpabio agreed that funds coming to the region were not commensurate with the level of projects on the ground, but stated that governments in the region should be held accountable for the 13 per cent oil-derivation meant to develop the oil-producing communities.
He advised those blaming the NDDC for all the woes of the region to look inwards and tell themselves the truth, adding: “When stakeholders reach out to the NDDC for intervention projects and the Commission intervenes, that is not duplication of projects. State governments should ensure that the 13 per cent allocation touches the lives of the people.
“If we ask why the NDDC has failed, then we have to look back. That is why the President came up with the forensic audit to salvage the Commission, and I think he should be commended for that. We have to know what went wrong.”
He described the NDDC as an organisation where everybody contributes, noting that there should be synergy between the federal and state governments.