NDDC POSITION : COMMUNITIES THREATEN TO DRAG FG,BUHARI TO COURT
The Egbe Omo Ilaje, a sociocultural group, under the auspices of ‘ The Ilajes' from Ondo state has urged The federal government, through President Muhammadu Buhari to quickly look into the appointment of the Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from Delta state and revert such to Ondo state as a matter of urgency or to approach the Law court in regard.
The Egbe Omo Ilaje at a press conference in Akure, Ondo state capital said that the first four states of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa having all produced the Managing Directors of the commission in the past, while it is now the turn of Ondo state as the fifth highest producer of oil in the country to occupy the office.
Mr. Edamisan Ogunfeyijimi, the National Secretary of Egbe Omo Ilaje, the apex sociocultural organization in Ilaje kingdom who spoke on behalf of the group, maintained that the people of the oil producing areas of Ondo state would not accept anything short of the position of the Managing Director of the commission, for which according to him are long due.
According to him, the history of the commission, since inception in year 2000 shows that the NDDC Act has been observed in flagrant breach in many respects, particularly in the appointment of the Managing Director and the two Executive Directors which positions have been held exclusively by the four members states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa contrary to the stated documents and spirit of the act of the commission.
In his words, " According to the act that established the commission ,NDDC Act, CAP N86 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and commencing from 12th July, 2000 Section 12 reads that “There shall be for the commission a Managing Director and two Executive Directors who shall be indigenes of oil producing areas starting with the member states of the commission with the highest production quantum of oil and shall rotate amongst member states in order of production. ”
The group alleged that the NDDC Act has been breached severally, “particularly in the position of the Managing Director, which has been held exclusively by the four member states of Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa, contrary to the Act.”
The Ilaje group, however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to review the appointments, saying “We enjoin President Muhammadu Buhari to personally review the announced appointments and ensure full compliance with the provisions of the NDDC Act accordingly.
While calling on the National Assembly to ensure that the peaceful coexistence of the peoples of the region is not negotiated or jeopardized on the altar of political expediency.
Nevertheless, the group declared that if the government failed to address its grievances, it would have no option than to approach the Law court.
Saying “We are ready to challenge government in the court of Law. The court will do justice to this matter. Besides, our youths in Ilaje are ready to go to any length to demand for their rights legitimately.
Noting that there are some cabals working to ensure that the appointments were done when the President was away outside the country without his knowledge.
Adding that the Egbe Omo Ilaje strongly believe that President Buhari is an upright and just man that will rectify this anomalies. Ogunfeyijimi posited.
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