CONDJUD Congratules IMC Over Efforts To Complete NDDC Permanent Headquarters.

CONDJUD Congratules IMC Over Efforts To Complete NDDC Permanent Headquarters. 

The Coalition of Niger Deltans for Justice and Development (CONDJUD) hereby heartily congratulates the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei and the entire members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of NDDC over its renewed effort, vigor and stance to taking a bold step in stepping up action towards the completion of the NDDC permanent headquarters neglected by many a previous management of the commission, who rather supported the callous and wasteful interest to continue operating the commission from a rented edifice for over 20 years.


With no apologies, it is sad that all management of the first to the last is guilty in this regard. To state that operating the commission from the so called rented edifice for over 20 years at a whooping cost of N300 Million per annum has been a huge drain on the commission's purse is a great understatement. More so when the total of about N7.2B is paid out on a building given to the commission free of charge by the Rivers State Government. Ordinarily N7.2b could have gone a long way to completing the permanent headquarters of the commission started by the defunct Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission(OMPADEC) over two decades ago. This was all because many a management paid it only lip service and with perhaps what was gained from an "under the table" illicit deals with those who presented themselves falsely as owners and collecting the N300m as yearly rent. We thank God this loophole of great drain is finally been blocked and for all time.

We urge Prof Pondei and his IMC team to ensure the now inaugurated Cairo Ojougboh-led committee to complete the project in a jiffy to end this never ending money draining project to the glory of God.

We are very much aware that at the inception of the Interim Management Committee, IMC made promises towards completion of the Headquarters building, we are therefore not surprised that it has now taken a concrete step towards its final completion phases.

Niger Deltans want no more stories or excuses, except to see that this step now taken leads to the befitting commissioning ceremony of the edifice soonest, an act that will write the name of the Pondei-led team in gold in the annals of the NDDC checkered history. Let it be known to Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, chairman of the inaugurated committee for the project that President Muhammadu Buhari giving the IMC the opportunity to continue to serve, despite all the recent brouhaha and happenings is because of his love for the Niger Delta people and his determination that the IMC has come to stay and he is confident it has the capacity and must deliver on its many promises, particularly the assignment of the Forensic Audit here to cleanse the proverbial Augean stable to pave way for a clean slate operation of the next properly constituted board of the NDDC. Let Ojougboh be conscious of the fact that nothing can be more pleasing to Niger Deltans than to see the IMC wind up on its assignment as soon as possible and a properly constituted Board of NDDC installed.

We believe strongly therefore and advice the Dr Ojougboh-led team not to play politics with this assignment, finish it soonest and return to that of the Forensic Audit which must be completed under the given time frame. Nothing less will be acceptable to Niger Deltans, under the circumstances, the many distractions from those who did not mean well for Niger Deltans and the development of the region, notwithstanding.

It is a good thing to hear that everything has been put behind by the team for it has resolved to work for the betterment of the Niger Delta. The mandate of completing the new NDDC headquarters should not be an excuse to delay completing the forensic audit within the time given by Mr President. As the only interest and concern of Niger Deltans is that the IMC completes its primary assignment (forensic audit) leave the commission and the job of developing the Niger Delta region to a properly constituted more competent established laws guided BOARD OF NDDC.

We as a body concerned with justice for all and even development of all communities in the region will continue to watch activities of the commission, give maximum protection, defense and support necessary to ward off unnecessary distractions, interference(from within and outside) and mudslinging thrown at the commission, its management, staff and activities by any misguided or selfish critic(s) from any quarter(s), where and when they, IMC and the NDDC itself have not erred or found wanting of wrong doing. This is not to say CONDJUD will not allow for well meaning constructive criticism meant to jolt the intervention agency back on its track from any attempt at derailing from its set objectives and programmes. CONDJUD itself will be among or in the fore front to promptly and adequately where and when necessary and appropriate criticise observed glaring shortcomings of NDDC and every matter concerning it.

For we pray the priority of NDDC henceforth to be the twin program of the forensic audit and the planned immediate completion of the NDDC permanent headquarters building, This is even as we join all well meaning persons to advise committee members not to play politics with it neither see it as a means to enriching themselves because it is a very serious task they must give their all and commitment to distinguish and prove themselves as real compatriots and selfless citizens of the Niger Delta Region.

Comrade Ebiakpo J. Barle,

For: CONDJUD, Port Harcourt, Rivers Nigeria.

August 7, 2020