…as senator debunks allegations
Abuja—A Niger Delta group, the Movement for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta has warned members of the National Assembly not to allow themselves to become tools in the hands of politicians working against the interest of the region.
According to the group, the dramatic sequence of harassment, incessant issuance of summons and probes targeted towards arm twisting the interventionist agencies to part away with meagre funds meant for the development and empowerment of the people of the region have become worrisome and provocative.
This was contained in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Chief Ayibatekena Olodin.
The group warned that instead of searching for cash cows such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Presidential Amnesty Programme, the National Assembly members should join hands with other legislators to review the failed security architecture of the nation and the economic woes, nationwide blackout, rising inflation and killings rather than disturbing the Niger Delta intervention agencies for quick monies.
“While we hail and await the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari in the area of improved funding to the NDDC, we urge the duo of Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi (Delta North) and Hon. Tunji Ojo of both the Senate and Federal House of Representatives committees of the National Assembly to stop the unprovoked use of legislative power to intimidate and arm-twist the NDDC.
“Despite the fact that we are not out to engage in murky revelations about the activities of the National Assembly Committees, we are aware that the dramatic sequence of harassment, incessant issuance of summons and probes are targeted towards arm twisting the interventionist agencies to part away with meagre funds meant for the development and empowerment of the people of the region.
“We call on Senator Peter Onyeluka Nwaoboshi (Delta North) and Hon. Tunji Ojo at the National Assembly to desist from their alleged blackmail and childish threats of commencing unending investigations into the activities of the NDDC and the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
“For the umpteenth time, the people of the Niger Delta have seen beyond their noses and discovered that the members of the National Assembly are grossly incompetent and negligent at failing the people of the Niger Delta region and Nigerians at large,” the statement reads.
The statement noted that a check showed that despite the refusal of the Federal Government to release funds owed to the NDDC, the Akwa Effiong management has managed fairly in paying recurrent expenditures and achievable offset payments of projects owed past and present contractors of the commission.
According to the statement, “Unlike the few months past, Effiong Akwa has done arguably well in quietly working and improving the lives of the people of the region through empowerment and redeemable payment for jobs done.
“It is now left for the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to assist by releasing the needed fund to instigate improved economic activities in the region.
“Unlike his predecessors, Barr. Effiong Akwa has been paying for some of the executed projects. He has been effectively and efficiently piloting the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). You don’t need to know him personally for him to pay you.
“As long as you have done your job, and your file has been processed by the NDDC officials, he approves your payment and everyone in the Niger Delta region knows this, contractors are unanimously pleased with his performance and are united behind him.
“Should the members of the National Assembly continue in their alleged blackmail of the Amnesty Programme, we will not hesitate to use the legal system against them, and mobilize the people across the Niger Delta region to protest against their blackmail and intimidations, and where possible, make public all their associated records of unexecuted contracts allocated to them in the past that are not executed.
“We are aware that these politicians are without shame or the fear of God and would want to engage in unending extortion of monies allocated to the Commission for the development of the region.”
Responding, Senator Nwaoboshi denied the allegations stating that he is not a member of the Senate committee on ethics and privileges.
He noted that his colleague, Hon. Ojo is also not a member of the committee in the House, adding that the group members have exposed themselves.
Hon. Ojo did not respond to a message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
