MOSIEND advocates synergy with states, NDDC
Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has advocated collaboration between Governors of the Niger Delta states and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to accelerate development.
MOSIEND said the collaboration would drive rapid socio-economic and infrastructural advancement in the region.
Mr Kenedy Tonjo-West, National President MOSIEND stated in an interview on Sunday in Yenagoa.
Tonjo-West traced the huge developmental setbacks in the region to use the NDDC as an instrument for political patronage.
He explained that such practice has not allowed credible appointees to serve out their tenure so as to implement their project to fruition.
Also, lack of stakeholder participation and structural engagement in the monitoring and evaluation projects and programmes, and also a total absence of synergy between the Governors and NDDC Board often because of party disparity or sentiments.
He noted that the lack of synergies among the Governors, NDDC and youths group is largely responsible for the duplication and abandoned projects scattered around the communities in the region which the Ogboku-led administration is working tirelessly to complete.
“We are impressed with the far-reaching stakeholders’ consultations made by the Dr Samuel Ogboku led NDDC in search for collective and all-embracing solutions to addressing the teething problems of the region.
“It is our belief that the immediate engagement with the newly sworn-in state governors will be icing on the cake in their quest to promote development that is cohesive in an all-hands-on-deck approach.
“We are calling on ethnic groups and stakeholders to support and rally around the NDDC board led by Chief Samuel Ogboku to propel the desired transformation in our communities and region.
“We are appealing to Mr President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to intervene in the feud in the NDDC Board if he has not done that already.
“The Board Chairman Madam Lauretta Onochie should desist from attempting to frustrate, destroy and wreck the very team she is part of, instead of adding value all we see is negative energy.
“And all these are distracting and pulling down the reputation of board members for parochial reasons which is not healthy,” Tonjo-West said.
MOSIEND called on other ethnic nationalities and groups in the region to close ranks and work towards promoting peace, security, development and harmonious coexistence to attract investors that will lead to employment and raising of our IGR.”
The group expressed the crop of Governors elected in the region and urged them to unite and partner with the Ogboku-led NDDC devoid of political party sentiments to regional growth.
Tonjo-West said: “As a group, we like to reiterate our support for the NDDC Board led by Chief Dr Samuel Ogboku and the Governors of the Niger Delta States.
“This is with a view to enable them to revive the moribund BRACED Commission to add additional developmental perspective and window to the collective betterment of the people of the region,” he added.
