Simon Ogunde, Yenagoa
A peace and advocacy group, the Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta (ANND), has called on the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to pay contractors to boost the local economy of the region.
Also, the AAND urged the commission to commence the payment of Agriculture grants to Cooperative Societies, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to farmers and to recommence payment for clearing of water hyacinths on the region’s waterways.
The Secretary, AAND, Mr Tonye Dokubo, made the appeal in a statement on Sunday made available to reporters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Dokubo argued that the payment of agric grants to cooperatives, SMEs to farmers would boost food security, and promote entrepreneurial activities to engender economic prosperity in the local community in order to stabilise security ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He said: “We make this passionate appeal for the NDDC to look critically into the payment of agriculture grants to cooperatives and SMEs to farmers to boost agriculture and the local economy.
“We also want the Commission to recommence payments for the clearing of water hyacinths on our waterways.
“There is also the imperative need for the NDDC to pay Niger Delta local contractors. Such a pragmatic move will go a long way towards boosting the local economy.”
The ANND Secretary commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, for addressing some of the Niger Delta 10-point communique aimed at solving the massive problems in the region.
According to him, the communique listed some of the demands of the core Niger Delta groups and stakeholders and Umana addressed some of them.
Dokubo said the demands included the removal of the previous Sole Administrator, NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa and the recommencement of work on Ahoada section of the East/West Road.
Other issues, according to him are to review the indiscriminate employment in the NDDC by his predecessor and the Niger Delta Ministry liaising effectively with the National Assembly to fast-track the release of 2021/22 budget
Dokubo equally hailed the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua, for his efforts in erosion control and embankments in riverine communities
He called on the stakeholders in the region and beyond to give tremendous and holistic support to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana, to actualise the good plans for the people of the region.