Akpan Umoh
Niger Delta Conscience Coalition (NDCC) has criticised Ijaw youths for staging protest and blocking roads over the appointment of an Akwa Ibom State indigene, Mr Effiong Akwa as the interim administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The protest was said to have been such that it resulted in the disruption of vehicular movement around Mbiama-Yenogoa Road on December 20.
A statement signed and made available to journalists in Uyo by NDCC’s president, Mr Aniefiok Obot and Secretary, Mr John Jumbo, on Thursday, expressed disappointment over sentiments by some Niger Delta indigenes against Akwa’s appointment by the Federal Government.
According to the group, every community and state in the region shares common challenges and destiny, hence all have equal stakes in the Niger Delta affairs.
The statement read: ”Believing in the spirit of oneness of the Niger Delta, and whereas Akwa Ibom people are known to be generally peaceful in their approach to issues of our regional co-existence.
“Niger Delta Conscience Coalition (NDCC) would have chosen to ignore and indeed has been ignoring quite a lot of activities of the Fifth Columnist in the Niger Delta struggle.
”But we have been forced to take a position now against some signals emanating from certain quarters of the Niger Delta areas since the appointment of a bonafide son of the Niger Delta, Mr Effiong Akwa to the position of Interim Administrator of NDDC.
”Of particular interest referred here is the recently reported disruption of vehicular traffic flow by a section of the Ijaw youth’s movement around the Mbiama-Yenogoa on Dec.20.
”There are several acceptable ways of engaging constructively, intelligently, productively, and inclusively which may help the image of the region.
“But the present posture of protest and blockades portray us as unfriendly for investment and therefore is capable of shifting the federal government and international investors interest and emphasis away from the region.”
The group also stated that it was not unconstitutional to appoint an interim administrator for the Agency as a precedence had already been set in the appointment of Mrs Joi Nunieh from Delta and the recently exited Prof Pondei from Bayelsa.
It appealed to Nigerians to support the federal government’s forensic audit of the NDDC.