Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently reconstitute the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), just as it urges the Federal Government to increase budgetary allocation to agencies set up to develop the Niger Delta region.
The Executive Director of ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor in a press statement in Benin City, Edo State last week noted it was important because since the 2016 budget is currently being finalized, ongoing projects in the region need to the completed and new ones that will positively impact on the lives of Niger Deltans initiated.
Ugolor stressed that at the moment, nothing much was happening at the NDDC because “there is no board to make its statutory approvals or even interface with members of the public.”
The rights activist noted that apart from increased budgetary allocation to the agencies, the National Assembly needs to step up its level of oversight in order to improve the effectiveness of these agencies.
“We urge the NDDC, Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and even the Oil and Gas Commissions in most Niger Delta States to work together to accelerate the development of the region and reduce incidences of project duplication.” Ugolor added.
