AN ex-militant leader of the Niger Delta, General Adu Solo has said the constitution of a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be in the “best interest” of the Federal Government.
He made the assertion while addressing aggrieved youths in his home town in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.
While expressing anger over the delay in constituting the board, the ex-militant stressed that it is hindering the developmental growth of the region.
Calling on the Minister Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio to act swiftly, he stated that the “tactics” being employed in the administration of the interventionist agency “is to deter development in the Niger Delta region.”
He said: “However, we will continue to engage the Presidency to make sure the board is constituted.
“To avoid another phase of hostilities, it is in the best interest of the Presidency to, at this point in time, heed the calls of patriotic Niger Deltans.”
He added that the current leadership of the NDDC will encourage looting, hence the need to immediately constitute the board.
Calls for the immediate inauguration of the NDDC board by stakeholders of the region reached a climax with an ultimatum issued by ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo), May 30.
This prompted a visit by the Minister to the region, where he assured that the constitution of the board will be “fast-tracked.”
Stakeholders are expectant that members of the NDDC board will be sworn in on or before the end of this month.
