Act for Positive Transformation Initiatives, a Civil Society Organisation (CSO) has urged the Federal Government to constitute a substantive management for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The CSO made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Johnson Kolawole, Head of Directorate of Research, Strategy and Planning of the organization.
Kolawale said the CSO uncovered ongoing plans to appoint a sole Administrator for the NDDC, following the Court Order restraining the Interim Management Committee (IMC) from performing its duties.
He said some top functionaries were plotting to hoodwink the nation into another round of circus to further impunity against the law setting up the NDDC.
“If allowed, this singular step shall sink the commission further and ruin the chances of rewriting the dark history of the commission,” he said.
Kolawole alleged that over N187 billion meant for the development of the Niger Delta has so far been squandered under the watch of the IMC.
According to him, in an unprecedented manner, monies are moved out of the coffers of the commission for non-existing jobs and contracts.
Kolawole said there is an urgent need to alert the government, the National Assembly and the general public on the latest sinister plot to plunge the NDDC into another round of crisis for selfish interest by appointing a sole administrator to run the commission against the laws setting up the interventionist agency.
“The only way forward is the immediate constitution of a substantive board answerable to the President and the people, not some puppets turn personal stealing machine.
“We call on the President to reject any maneuvering for the extension of the tenure of the present management or any attempt to bring in a sole administrator; it is not known to law.
“There is no other better time for the National Assembly to rise in defense of its functions and our laws, the tax payers look forward to this institution for hope, if any,” he said.
