NDDC Interim Committee: Do not support Corruption, Ijaw group charges IYC

An Ijaw group that styles itself as Delta Ijaws for Good Governance (DIGG) has charged the leadership of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) to stop promoting corruption by following their outburst over the over the appointment of NDDC Interim Management Committee recently inaugurated by the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswil Akpabio.

Recall that the Eric Omare factional led IYC had in a statement called for the sack of Minister of Niger Delta, Godswil Akpabio in what they termed as ‘his alleged undue interference” in the running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

But in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency meeting held in Gbaramatu and signed by Alaowei James Perezi and 40 others, the group wondered why a highly placed youth body like IYC would question such approval by President Buhari knowing full well that NDDC since 18years have been characterized with fraudulent contracts and embezzlement of funds.

The communiqué reads in parts; “We have carefully read through the submission of Eric Omare led IYC, questioning the appointment of NDDC steering committee and calling for the sack of Senator Godswil Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta. We wonder why IYC would be so desperate to see a new board function when the Commission has not been cleansed.

“First, on behalf of Niger Deltans, we deeply commend the Minister of Niger Delta headed by Godwil Akpabio for his wisdom in recommending that a three man committee be set up to create an enabling environment for the Forensic Audit; and we thank our distinguished President Muhammadu Buhari for his approval. This indeed will not only clear the irregularities in the commission but also set a new policy for the incoming Board to follow.

“Therefore, while we congratulate Mrs Joi Ogbene, Acting Executive Director, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Acting Director Project and Bassey Akpan, Acting Director Finance, we further urge all Niger Deltans to support this new development and patiently wait for the conclusion of the forensic audit before the emergence of New Board Members. The group added.