The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has promised to end kidnapping, youth restiveness and other vices by addressing the needs of youths and communities in the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC Board Chairman, Lauretta Onochie, made this known when she and a member of the Board representing the North West, Prince Sani Iko Sami, received a delegation of the Ogoni Youths Peace Movement at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Onochie, said : “We are determined to ensure that youths of the Niger Delta are empowered according to their needs because everyone is different. So, we are going to carry out a needs assessment to be sure of what you need. Every community is also different. So, we will meet you at your point of need”.
She stated that the Commission was ever committed to working closely with communities in the region to identify their needs and provide the necessary support: “Community engagement is key to developing the Niger Delta region. We are committed to working closely with communities in the region to identify their needs and provide the necessary support. We are also committed to ensuring that our projects are executed transparently and accountable.”
She said that under her leadership, NDDC would work closely with Niger Delta stakeholders to achieve the Commission’s goal by meeting the people’s needs.
“We will guard your money very jealously and ensure that what belongs to you comes to you. We have received your 5-point proposal, and I must say that they are within the principal mandate of NDDC, which is exactly what our Board is pursuing. So, be rest assured we are on the same page.
“I am happy that you stand for peace. That is not something Nigerians know about the Niger Delta. The late Ken Saro-Wiwa will be very proud of you because that was what he stood for. I am also very proud of you. We will support you to continue to keep the peace.
Earlier, the leader of the delegation and Vice President of Ogoni Youths Peace Movement, Comrade Nulai Tambari, urged the NDDC to undertake skills training for youths and women of the Niger Delta to improve their livelihoods and living standards.
In his words,”we want to bring to your notice the need for empowerment programmes and skills acquisition training for the youths and women. Most of our youths and women are peasant farmers and need to be empowered and trained to enhance their livelihoods and living standards.
“Most social evils, like kidnapping, robbery, cultism, and bunkering, will be things of the past if NDDC considers these requests for empowerment and training.”
