Former Niger-Delta ex-agitator, Chief Government Ekpemupolo, alias Tompolo, on Sunday, issued a statement giving the Federal Government of Nigeria a seven-day ultimatum to constitute the Board of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to the statement published by Gbaramatu Voice , Tompolo called on President Muhammadu Buhari and members of the National Assembly to work towards the institution of a substantive board for the NDDC in a few days to avert what he termed “a total breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region.”
Apart from the call for a substantive board, Mangrovepen.ng has established four other reasons that fuelled his issuance of a seven day ultimatum:
1. Refusal of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to pay contractors under the NDDC.
According to Tompolo, “Senator Akpabio has refused to pay contractors even after evaluation of work done. He has selectively paid his cronies and those in the list of political patronage. It is an open secret that some contractors have been made to part with up to between 30% and 50% of the contract sum.”
2. Non-constitution of a substantive board impeding the development of the region.
“The continuous running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by a sole administrator at the instance of the minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Akpabio, is undemocratic and anti-development, hence unacceptable to the people of the region.”
3. The forensic audit is being used by Akpabio to strangle the NDDC and further his 2023 political ambition.
Tompolo further stated thus: “Common sense will tell you that the so-called forensic audit that has been used by Senator Akpabio to strangle the commission could be best conducted with a substantive board that brings all representatives from the nine states and other parts of the country. As one from the region, Senator Akpabios initial mission to audit past activities of the commission was seen as welcome development, but later the people realised that it was a personal mission to feather the next (sic) of his 2023 political ambition.”
4. Silence of leaders from the region on the matter.
“I am surprised at the recent silence of highly placed persons from the region on this matter. Perhaps, Senator Akpabio is not alone on this NDDC abduction. This must be a product of high wired conspiracy among persons from the Presidency, National Assembly and Security Agencies to perpetually silence all well-meaning Nigerians in this strange deal.”
