NDDC As Cash Cow: Group Rebuffs Wike, Urges Tinubu To Release Allocations

The Community Development Committees of Niger Delta Oil and Gas Producing Areas (CDC) has rebuffed the assertions of the immediate past governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is a cash cow used by some individuals in milking the resources of the region.

The CDC in a statement issued by the chairman of the board of trustees of the body, Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, the group urged President Bola Tinubu not to pay heed to the call by Wike but to rather release outstanding allocations due to the agency he said had been withheld by previous administrations.

While observing that the story of the NDDC had in the past been laced with improprieties, he said that the agency had passed the curve with the new Dr Samuel Ogbuku led management which the CDC claimed had proved to be above board.

GWG.ng reports that Wike had recently flayed the NDDC as a cash cow for some interest groups within and outside the Niger Delta.

However, countering him, the CDC in a statement said:

“The use of expletives emanating from Ex- Governor Ezenwo Wike on the NDDC as a cash cow is not acceptable if the inference is on this  present management team. The statement made by Ex- Governor Wike is misplaced and can be referred to as careless talk from an individual who want to use the bashing of the NDDC to further his intent to score a cheap political mileage and further cosy is way into the heart of President Bola Tinubu for political patronage.

“It will be disingenuous for anyone for that matter to make unsubstantiated claim and smear the leadership that is trying hard to make a difference to develop a pathway for the infrastructural development of the region even with the meagre resources that is available at it’s disposal.

“While, we are not dismissing the Ex Governor’s assertion in totality, we agree that there have been some questionable developments and unwholesome practice’s in the recent past but it has not always been gloom and doom.”

“This management team led by Samuel Ogbuku has shown a pathway to doing things differently for the benefit of uplifting critical infrastructure across the region and it’s teeming youthful population to  become gainfully employed and also become entrepreneurs.

While urging President Tinubu to release outstanding allocations to the NDDC, the CDC said:

“We urge President Bola Tinubu to tread carefully and allow this present leadership run it’s full course. The President should be reminded that the attacks are aimed at taking control of  the levers of power in the body corporate of the NDDC.

“Indeed, the attacks are not altruistic after all. We know the antics of our people, they want to continue to be seen as the only ones expending patronage and must be the ones to be in a position to continue to the detriment of others who are very well qualified to lead. It will not be surprising when we see many of such attacks in the coming days therfore we urge the Managing Director and his team to be uncowed and remain focused at all times to deliver on the mandate.

“At this time we will use this opportunity to appeal to President Bola Tinubu, to ensure without further delay order the release of all the monies due the NDDC that have accrued and have been short paid by previous administrations to enable the commission meet its objectives. There has been many court orders in this direction in the past that have been ignored by successive governments.

“Going further the leadership of the CDC is calling for the upward review of the allocation to the NDDC, and also revenues due the commission to become a first line charge henceforth. This is the next project that is on the table of the CDC to be embarked upon and  to be actualised for the good and development of our people.”

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