Group Hails Minister Over Acting NDDC MD’s Appointment

A group, the Association for Non-Violence in the Niger Delta (ANND), has lauded the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umanah, over the appointment Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua, as the acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

It also lauded Okon for addressing the 10-point communique of the Niger Delta ethnic nationalities, aimed at solving the massive problems in the region.

ANND, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday by its secretary, Mr. Tonye Dokubo, pledged its continued support the Niger Delta Affairs Minister.

The group called on the NDDC management to commence the payment of agricultural grants to cooperative societies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to farmers in the region to boost rural economy.

The statement said the payment of agricultural grants to cooperatives societies, SMEs and farmers would boost food security, promote entrepreneurial activities to engender economy prosperity at the local community for the stabilisation of security ahead of yuletide period and pave ways for 2023 general elections.

The association also urged the NDDC management to recommence payment for clearing of water hyacinth in the regional waterways.

It read: “It is striking and noteworthy that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs has acted upon the last communique of core Niger Delta stakeholders.

“We make this passionate appeal for NDDC to look critically the payment of agricultural grants to cooperatives and SMEs to farmers to boost agriculture and the local economy. We also want the Commission to recommence payments for the clearing of water hyacinth on our waterways.”