Resist attempts to disrupt peace in Niger Delta, NYCN tells youths

The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has asked Niger Delta youths to resist any attempt to disrupt peace in the region. 

In a statement on Monday, Solomon Adodo, president of NYCN, alleged that some politicians who are against the reforms going on in the NDDC, are trying to derail the peace and development in the region.

President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered a forensic audit of the NDDC, and this has led to a probe by the national assembly over billions of naira alleged to have been mismanaged by the commission.

In December 2020, the president removed Kemebradikumo Pondei as acting managing director of the NDDC, and approved Effiong Awa, acting executive director of finance and administration of the commission, as the new head of the agency.

The president had said Awa will be in charge of the agency until the completion of the forensic audit ordered by the president.

Speaking on the ongoing forensic audit of the NDDC, Adodo added that those against the reform are not interested in development of the region.

“Considering the outcry by some politicians, particularly those opposed to the drastic reform of the NDDC, it was very surprising to note amongst other things that due to the direct developmental interventions of the Federal Government, the region looks unto the future with greater hope, while appreciating the works being sincerely done,” Adodo said.

“Due to the forensic audit, contractors who had hitherto abandoned their jobs after collecting huge sums of money from NDDC have now returned to their project sites to continue the works for which they were paid. Thus, every naira of the Federal Government being spent can now be accounted for with matching projects that have direct impact on the masses. We have seen firsthand the massive road and bridge constructions simultaneously ongoing in the region amongst other intervention programmes.

“The speedy completion and commissioning of the NDDC permanent headquarters is not only a novel achievement in providing a conducive environment for the discharge of duties of the Commission, but also a blockade of a huge loophole through which the resources of the Commission were being siphoned, using the criminal trick of inflated and unnecessary rents.

“The relocation of the NDDC from the Office of the Secretary of the Government of the Federation to the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is responsible for the better attention the Commission is receiving, which has translated to better development.”

The NYCN further urged traditional and religious leaders to ensure that the region attains its rightful place in national development.