Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State on Monday said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) had failed to deliver on its mandate, especially on regional projects.
Wike revealed how he said the leadership of the Amnesty for Niger Delta was detailed to remove him from office, saying after the special adviser on Amnesty was removed, he cannot ask for his reappointment because the said man used his position to kill Rivers people during the elections.
It was at this that the governor regretted that the NDDC had been negatively manipulated to deny the people of the region key projects, saying, “It is unfortunate that the NDDC cannot deliver on regional projects. There are no interstate roads and NDDC has not done any major project. Instead, the NDDC is engaged in micro projects to promote political interests.”
The governor called for the unity of all Niger Delta ethnic nationalities to promote the development of the region.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by leaders of the Niger Delta at the Government House Port Harcourt, Wike said unless the people speak with one voice, they would continue to lose out.
The governor said the song for all ethnic nationalities should be the promotion of the development of the Niger Delta. “Let’s not restrict our struggle to any particular ethnic Nationality.”
He stated that he was ready to host the conference of ethnic nationalities in Port Harcourt, but after due consultation with the five other South-South governors. He commended the Delta State governor for providing the right leadership for the South-South to enhance development of the region.
Earlier, member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Smart Adoki, said that the Niger Delta leaders were at the Government House to thank Governor Wike for providing leadership for the region.
He urged the Rivers State governor to work for the restoration of the Presidential Amnesty Programme to faithfully serve the region.
In his remarks, leader of the delegation, T.K. Ogorimagba urged the Rivers State governor to serve as the number one advocate for the development of the South-South. He urged the Rivers State governor to host the Conference of Ethnic Nationalities of the South-South to promote the development of the area.
