Leaders Of Over 20 Niger Delta Youth Groups Pay Solidarity Visit To Acting NDDC Boss

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, yesterday received a host of leaders of various youth groups from around the Niger Delta region. The youth leaders had led members of their various organizations on a solidarity visit to the Ag. MD/CEO at the Commission’s Headquarters in Port-Harcourt.

Prof. Brambaifa after listening to the elated youth who called for his confirmation by President Muhammadu Buhari as the substantive MD/CEO of the NDDC, thanked the youth leaders for their visit and charged them to begin to think away from the Oil and Gas with which the region is blessed (as the value and quantity of the oil is gradually fading away). He further explained to the gathering that he as a person always preferred to interact with the ordinary people on the street, and experience has taught him to love and accommodate the youth of society. “However, right from my days in the Academics at the University of Port Harcourt and other plethora of Institutions, I have encouraged people to always seek to resolve issues using the 3C approach, which stand for Consulting, then you  Consolidate on those consultations, and only if the latter fails, you then resort to Confrontation, that way you are prepared and ready to push at all direction to express your dissatisfaction, otherwise you might just go and waste your chances of amicable resolution when you wish to start with confrontation”.

The MD/CEO informed the Youth that himself and the Management of the Commission is aware that the Youth are hungry, and the adage “an hungry man, is an angry man” remains very true even now, that is why he as MD/CEO of the NDDC, which in essence was established as an interventionist agency is more concerned about the common voice of the street, rather than the opinion of the big men at Abuja, even though by virtue of the protocol and in keeping with the establishing Act you cannot but listen to those above you in Abuja.

As an interventionist agency, the NDDC has created such palliative measures such as the Water Hyacinth clearing Jobs, NDDC Youth Volunteer Scheme, Distillery, Emergency Jobs, Petty Supply Jobs, Solar Panel Installations and other numerous Quick Win contracts to alleviate the sufferings of our people, create wealth/jobs, and most importantly reduce Youth restiveness across the region. Accordingly, Brambaifa charged the leaders to try as much as possible to fight against the greedy urge of keeping everything to themselves, and ensure that whatever they receive from the Commission trickle down to their followers, so that everyone would at least have a sense of belonging.

Speaking further, Brambaifa stated that “talking about Water Hyacinth, I can inform you now that before my appointment as Ag. MD/CEO, I was the Chairman, Council of Arts & Culture, where I have learnt that these water hyacinth can be collected and processed into various art materials like, beautiful baskets, etch that are economically viable, so beneficiaries of these contracts should consider acquiring the requisite knowledge so that you can enjoy the added commercial benefits/advantage”, and in the same vein assured that the various Empowerment schemes and Programmes are continous, so advised that those who are yet to benefit should not feel left out, as the chances still abound.

Speaking earlier the youth leaders commended the Federal Government for the choice of Prof. Brambaifa as MD of the NDDC, and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to make haste in Confirming the appointment of Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as the substantive MD of the Commission, the youth leaders also invited all those fighting against Brambaifa’s Confirmation to wake up to reason, as he has shown that the interest of all Niger Deltans is paramount, therefore, everyone should rather join hands with him to move the region forward.

Speaking on behalf of the Niger Delta Agitators Forum, General Ocean, Congratulates Brambaifa for his well deserved appointment and prayed that the Good Lord see him through this rigorous journey. General Ocean, on behalf of the delegation presented the demands of the the Youth bodies, which includes:

1. More Water Hyacinth Contracts

2. Emergency Jobs, Roads/construction Jobs

3. Distillery

4. Volunteer slots.

5. Payment of all little outstandings owed Contract sums.

Another speaker at the meeting, Bishop Alfred also declared support for the MD’s  confirmation as he has brought back the lost image of the Commission. Alfred stated that “for over Eight (8) years now, Volunteer payment, Water Hyacinth and Emergency Jobs we’re forgotten, and even when we hear about them, they are given to people of high Political weight, so we the youth get nothing. But, thank God today, under Brambaifa ordinary people can begin to enjoy the benefits again. I, in fact we the youth support you to be made the substantive MD/CEO of NDDC so that you can assume the full powers and pay all pending Contracts”.

Prince Charlse on his part, stated that the various youth bodies that are visiting are all known bodies, and that they have earned their respect in Leadership, and are capable of what they say so the MD should improve on the situation as he is already doing as the street is not happy and there is too much anger.

The Ag. MD/CEO Prof. Nelson Brambaifa thanked them for their peaceful conduct, and tasked them on the peace and Security of the region, as he promised to act on their demands, even though the demand on road job would be a bit tough as such jobs are only given to Contractors with proven track record and capacity, in other to avoid abandonment of such product and waste of public funds, but where they have competent hands, they can come forward and groups can be paired so as to benefit even under this regard.