N’Delta youths to FG: Inaugurate NDDC Board or face protest bigger than EndSARS in 28-day

Posted by Niger Delta Youth Council

The leadership of Niger Delta Youth Council and representatives of 22 ethnics as well as concerned women in the oil-producing region have strongly asked the Federal Government (FG), to inaugurate a new Board for the Niger Delta Development (NDDC), or face protests that “will make last year’s EndSARS demonstrations in Nigeria a child’s play.”

National Coordinator of the council, Engr. Jator Abido, who spoke during a peaceful protest in Warri, Delta State, said “if the Board is not inaugurated on or before the end of April as stated by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, we will have no option than to shut down the Economy of the region to ensure that no proceed goes to the national treasury for sharing.”

The protesters also decried the appointment of a Sole Administrator for the NDDC Board without consulting Governors, stakeholders, and youths in the nine states of the commission’s coverage areas.

Aslo speaking separately, Collins Ufuoma Achakpekri, the international representative of Niger Delta Youth Council and Mrs Princess Pinapinawie, representative of Concern Women in the Oil Producing Region pointed out the emergence of the administrator was “to serve the selfish goal of Akpabio, covering up with the forensic audits.”

The mammoth crowd of protesters was unanimously called for the resignation of the Minister and Mr. Effiong Akwa, the Sole Administrator of NDDC Board over enormous corruption allegations leveled against him.

Besides, they urged President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to allow anti-corruption agencies including the EFCC and ICPC “to carry out their duties without interruption and intimidation from the Presidency.”

According to the protesters who gathered at Warri/Port Harcourt East-West Road, around Effurun Round About, if the federal government cannot curb the frauds being carried out by the Minister and Sole Administrator, ” we will result to self-help by calling in the international community to assist us to recover their loots and if it is not done, we will have no option than to do it our own way.

“As it stands today, the Niger Delta region is the most peaceful in the nation except the government is not appreciating the efforts of the leadership of Niger Delta Youth Council and other formidable youth groups such as Ijaw youth Council, Urhobo Youth Council, Ogoni Youth Movement and many more.”