The leadership of the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria and Niger Delta Opinion Leaders are seeking the intervention of MD/CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
The stakeholders said on Friday 7th June, 2024, that the move became necessary following months of neglect and also the failure of the Special Assistant (Youth) to the MD/CEO of NDDC to play the needed roles as an intermediary between the youths of the region and Dr Ogbuku.
The highly respected leaders, after a crucial meeting in Port Harcourt, unanimously agreed to formally protest to Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and his team, who have been diligently fulfilling their responsibilities in line with the mandate given to them by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as evidenced by their active engagement with youth and community needs in the Niger Delta region to seek for redress and intervention.
While speaking after the crucial meeting on behalf of the stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Snr. Comrade Emeni Ibe said,”It is on record that the leadership of the Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria and Niger Delta Opinion Leaders, in a resounding show of support on 18th May, 2024, passed a vote of confidence on the Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Management”.
“The vote of confidence was rooted in our strong belief that those calling for the removal of the Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku led NDDC Executive Management do not mean well for the region as the sack of previous Management teams had set the region back in terms of development. We declared our support for Chief Dr Samuel Ogbuku and his team because they have shown that they are focused on changing the narratives and needed support.”
“Some months ago, Dr. Ogbuku gave the assurance that contractors, who were being owed between N1m and N50m by the Commission, will be attended to and the outstanding funds paid. Incidentally, a good number of our members fell within that margin. It was cheering news for many of members and they looked forward to being settled.”
“But as at day, Friday 7th June, 2024, none of our members have been paid. We have also heard that contractors, who were being owed huge amounts of money were being sorted out.
Hence, we describe as unacceptable this show of disdain and total disregard for our groups on the payment of jobs below N50million that the MD/CEO had promised. It is rather disgusting to note that payment is ongoing but none of our own has been considered for payment.”
“We therefore, call on the Comrade MD/CEO of NDDC to prioritize the timely release of funds to cushion the effects of the outstanding bills through any means necessary in order to enhance our genuine intentions and payment of our IPC that have TSA within N1million to 50million Naira as promised.
“The Southern Youth Foundation of Nigeria and Niger Delta Opinion Leaders urge and appeal for the urgent intervention of the people’s MD/CEO NDDC while emphasizing the importance of working collaboratively with the current NDDC leadership to achieve the vision and Renewed Hope agenda for the Niger Delta region.”
“We equally use this medium to express our disappointment and dissatisfaction with the SA to the MD/CEO on Youth, for failing in his capacity as an intermediary between the teeming youths of the region and the head of the Commission.”