A member of the 9th House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has condemned allegations of fraud against the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, while calling on stakeholders from the crude oil-rich region to discontinue the “dog-eat-dog mentality”, saying that has not served the Niger Delta well in the past.
Tribune Online learnt that one Chief Michael Johnny, the Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta State had in a statement accused the commission under the current leadership of maladministration and fraud, and called on the anti-graft agencies to investigate the NDDC under Dr. Ogbuku.
Sunny-Goli, however, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, described Chief Johnny as an attention seeker, whose views contradict that of the good people of the Niger Delta region.
The former lawmaker’s statement reads in part: “For the first time, the people of the Niger Delta region are feeling the impact of the interventionist agency through its people-centred initiatives, programmes, and policies.
“We have never had it this good as a people, as can be seen in the sense of belonging every well-meaning stakeholder has been accorded through the open-door policy of the Ogbuku-led NDDC.
“The NDDC under Ogbuku is intentional in facilitating the rapid and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and has shown unwavering commitment in this regard. As we can all attest to, the commission under Ogbuku is creating economic prosperity, social stability, ecological regeneration, and political peace in the region, which are the core mandates of the commission.
“Look at the Youth Internship Scheme, for instance. It is a strategic initiative launched to support the professional growth and employability of Niger Delta youths. The programme aims to select 10,000 beneficiaries in its first phase, who will participate in a 12-month internship, to give them experiential learning opportunities that will enhance their personal development and industry, as well as add value to the region.
“The medical outreaches embarked upon by the commission have been well received across the Niger Delta, as thousands have been provided with free medical services, including surgeries where needed.
“The NDDC under Ogbuku has delivered a lot of projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, healthcare access, and agricultural development.
“The commission’s commitment to empowering communities through education, skills training, and job creation is evident under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership. Initiatives like the NDDC Internship programme, the scholarship programme, and the Project Hope initiative give credence to this fact.
“Our communities are now becoming safer for our people, as the operation light-up the Niger Delta initiative, which is spreading across communities in the 9 States of the Niger Delta, is illuminating the nooks and crannies across the region with solar-powered light. These laudable initiatives have greatly reduced crime and criminality in the region.
“Most importantly, we have witnessed exceptional rectitude in the award of contracts, with due process being the watchword under the Ogbuku administration.”
He, therefore, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to disregard the claims against the NDDC Director, adding that it was done in bad faith.
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