We wish to call on the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC and the National Assembly to put an end to their rift inorder for peace & tranquility to reign in the Region which will ultimately bring the needed development in the Niger Delta Region.
We have closely looked at the ongoing crisis between these two Government Institutions, and wish to state that the continuous rift among these Institutions will only hinder the developmental pace of the Oil Rich Niger Delta Region that account for over 70 Percent of our Country's Resources and Revenue given that Nigeria is an Oil Producing Nation.
As an Unbiased & Rationale Group, we believe in preaching peace and harmonious co-existence and mutual understanding between and among Government Institutions.
The National Assembly should try and always pass the budget of the NDDC on time so they can properly utilize the 12 Months span of the Accounting Life of the Budget, rather than passing it two months to the expiration of the Budget Life. This alone hinders the smooth operation of the Commission.
On the part of this present IMC, we know that the National Assembly Members by law are allowed to attract development to their Constituencies and that was why they were voted for, so it is really not out of place for any Member of the National Assembly to do that, unless there is something wrong in the execution of the said projects. However, any Contractor in any guise working with any name or personality irrespective of how highly placed should not be spared if found not doing the right thing.
In this vein, we add our voice to the Forensic Audit as approved by the Federal Government, and call on both the National Assembly and the IMC of NDDC to allow the Auditors do their job.
We should allow the Auditors complete their assignment, because this accusations and counter accusations if not lay to rest, will only stall the process of the Budget Passage which will in turn affect the smooth running of the NDDC which will lead to the slow pace of development of our Great Region.
If I may ask, what are we really fighting for? The huge financial resources, time and energy put by both parties to garner Public sympathy is really a waste which can be put in more meaningful areas in the development of the Region.
This rift can be amicably resolved by a Round table Stakeholders Conference to the benefit of all of us in the Region.
There are other Government Interventionist Commissions and Institutions in Nigeria, and they are working well and their names are not always negatively mentioned in the News like the NDDC. The National Assembly also oversight them and they enjoy smooth working relationship, what are they doing right that the NDDC is not doing?
Please *enough is enough* with all these running battle between the IMC of NDDC and the National Assembly, because when two Elephants fight, it's the grass that suffers. We the good people of Niger Delta Region are suffering because of these unnecessary fights, meanwhile our resources are taken from us to fund other Government Interventionist Commissions and Institutions in other parts of Nigeria.
We are a peaceful, unbaised and rationale Group in the Niger Delta Region, all we are asking for is Peace and harmionus relationship among Government Institutions inorder to fast track the rapid development of our Region because we are the Goose that lays the golden eggs.
We come in peace.
Thank you.
*Charles Nwala*
*President, Etche Liberation Youth Association*
