One of the stakeholders in Rivers State, Elder Chief Emmanuel Obi (JP) has suggested the complete review and amendment of the constitution setting up the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and reshuffle its staff and management team with a view to repositioning the intervention agency to achieve set goal of developing the devastated and neglected area.
Speaking with newsmen over the weekend in a public function in Port Harcourt, he said that scraping of the agency is not an option neither changing of its name.
According to him, “the solution of the NDDC lies on reviewing the constitution setting it up, discover the loopholes where the funds are leaking and pluck them. Also those identified rats should be sacked and made to refund whatever they have stolen. It is not a case of throwing the baby with the water,” he said.
Chief Obi, who is the chairman, Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC), Elakahia Police Division lamented that it is unfortunate that all the commission’s players who have sabotaged its development efforts are from the zone. He threw his weight behind those calling for the thorough investigation of the agency right from its inception 20 years ago as well as ensuring that the component state governments of the region approves priority projects they actually need for execution by the NDDC.
The monarch used the opportunity to commend Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for his developmental strides in the state especially what he called his doggedness in the coronavirus pandemic fight.
He advised the governor to remain focused in delivering his divine mandate of restoring the state to its lost glory and forget those politicians who don’t see anything good in the administration.
“The governor is trying his best, he might not be perfect as a human being what the governor needs is the people’s support, cooperation and encouragement to do more,” he said.
Chief Obi however advised him to shift attention to human capital development to put food on the people’s table and also to help in scooping the gutters and canals to avoid flooding of the communities whenever it rains.
The Imo State born traditional ruler equally used the chance to thank Governor Wike for considering the traders in Rivers State for taxes and levies waiver to further cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, adding that whatever one does, people must criticize his/her action.
“What is important is for one to try and do what is right and just to benefit majority of the people.” he stated.
