Effiong Akwa, the Interim Administrator, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on Niger Delta stakeholders to trust President Muhammadu Buhari on issues affecting the commission and the region.
Akwa, who spoke at the weekend, in an online virtual meeting, organised by his Special Adviser on Youths and Sports, Udengs Eradiri, said Buhari meant well for the Niger Delta.
According to him, the President is on the verge of handing over a reformed, productive, effective and efficient NDDC to the Niger Deltans.
On the constitution of a substantive board for the commission, Akwa, who was represented by Eradiri, urged stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the implementation of the forensic audit report.
“The NDDC will continue to strive hard to leave in accordance with its mandate. I am aware of the agitations, but I want to appeal to all those who are aggrieved to allow the Federal Government and President Buhari do what they intend to do with the NDDC. They mean well to the commission and Niger Delta.
He insisted that the NDDC was undergoing a process of cleansing to ensure a new beginning, noting that a can of worms was uncovered during the forensic audit.
“People have been talking about the creation of a board, I agree, but the forensic audit that concluded some months ago has opened a can of worms and those worms are being dealt with and that is why the issue of the board had not been formally concluded.
“I believe that by the time they finish with this process, the board will be concluded. Following the outcome of the forensic exercise, we can no longer rely on the existing Act. The Act is being reviewed to accommodate some of the recommendations of the report.
“The board will come when all the parameters have been put together, so that going forward, the new NDDC can start on a good footing. People should reduce the agitation on board and work with the current management of the NDDC.”
