Group calls for tenure extension for Akpabio, Akwa over positive performance in NDDC

A Non Governmental Organization, (NGO) under the aegis of Network Advancement Program for Poverty and Disaster Risks Reduction (NAPPDRR) has advocated the extension of the tenure of Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to avail them more time to better the lot of the Niger Delta Region.

The group said it was impressed with the completion of the Nigeria Police Special Protection Unit Base by the NDDC and subsequent commissioning of the facility by President Muhammadu Buhari in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

In a statement signed by the group President, Al Mustafa Emem Edoho and Program Officer Environmental Protection, Jubril Uwem Edukere and made available to newsmen on Wednesday, the organization commended Akpabio and Akwa for accomplishing such a lofty feat within a very short time.

According to NAPPDRR, the NDDC under Akwa and supervision of Akpabio has helped in fixing the housing deficit for the personnel of the Nigeria police through the project.

“We as development partners in the Niger Delta are very happy and elated that NDDC is achieving it’s set goals as a development agency in the region. The interim administrator has been very pragmatic in mobilizing resources to achieve visible results.

“We can see that within his short period as the interim administrator he has been able to build and inaugurate the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, a feat that wasn’t achieved in the past fifteen years of the commission.

“The latest is the completion of the police housing facility which will reduce the housing deficit for police personnel. It will also enhance the security architecture in the country and boost the morale of police officers.

“Within a short period the interim administrator and the Niger Delta Affairs Minister have been able to clear a backlog of contractual obligations which have existed for between 5 to 10 years without payment.

“So we think Akwa and Akpabio should be allowed more time to continue with their good works. All the agitations for the disbandment of the interim administration of the NDDC are misplaced political gimmicks.” The statement stressed.

It said since the forensic audit has been completed and report submitted to the Presidency, there was need for a little more time to sanitize and restructure the NDDC for better and optimal performance for the overall interest of the Niger Delta region.