The various speakers at the end of a Niger Delta sensitization conference for ethnic nationalities, youths and women groups held in Port Harcourt, reiterated the need for peace in the region and to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that holistically captures the needs and aspirations of the Niger Delta region.
The conference with the particular essence of addressing certain sensitive issues affecting the region, and country, had in attendance ethnic nationalities, youth leaders, and women groups from across the nine states of the Niger Delta region.
The conference, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, had the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio as special guest of honour.
The Chairman of the Board of the NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, gave the welcome address with a keynote presentation by the MD/CEO of the NDDC, Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and goodwill messages from the people of the region.
The conference also discussed the planned nationwide protest over the current economic challenges in the country, reviewing the pros and cons of the protest, and acknowledged the right of citizens to protest. While recognizing the high cost of goods and the difficulties faced by ordinary Nigerians in meeting their basic needs, the conference noted the specific issues faced by the Niger Delta region, including the history of past years of agitation, crises, and other challenges.
The conference concluded that while the right to protest is a democratic right, given the current global economic context, a nationwide protest could be counterproductive.
Furthermore, the conference noted the appeals of the Senate president, the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives and the leadership of the NDDC and having regard for the sustainable development projects and programmes being initiated by the NDDC, such as the community and rural infrastructure development projects, the Operation Light-Up the Niger Delta – Solar Light Projects, among others, all of which are part of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals No. 11, aimed at eradicating poverty and creating wealth in our region, as well as the extra funding of the 2024 budget of the NDDC with an additional N1T.
Consequently, the people of the Niger Delta unanimously resolved not to participate in the planned nationwide protest and called on all citizens, especially the youth, not to exacerbate tension in the region and the country.
The conference further highlighted the impact of the oil and gas activities over the years against the paradoxical and dire socio-economic situation in the region and expressed the need for the government and the management of the NDDC to address these issues expeditiously.
Conference noted that since the budget of the NDDC has been approved, action should be expedited on the release of funds to execute critical projects for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.
It welcomed the announcement of the setting up of a Communique Implementation Committee (CIC) to interface with Government at all levels, on behalf of the Niger Delta people, on the outcomes of the just concluded stakeholders Summit held in Port Harcourt.
It agreed that a high-powered delegation of the Niger Delta people should visit Mr. President to discuss the issues of the region and the outcomes of the last Stakeholders Summit.
The conference also applauded the pronouncement by the Managing Director of the NDDC on the commencement of the Youth Internship Scheme where 10,000 Niger Delta youths will receive N50,000 each monthly, and thanked the Board and Management of the NDDC for their current efforts in rewriting the narrative of the past and providing commendable leadership.
