Anti-Corruption Day: Activist Campaign Against Corruption In NDDC, Want It Managed By Professionals

Delta State Coalition of Civil Societies, today campaigned against the corruption rocking Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), a body established in 2000 with the sole mandate of developing the oil-rich region.

The Anti Corruption Forum in partnership with Social Action, Mac Arthur Foundation USA, amongst others, stormed the city of Asaba to campaign against corrupt practices at NDDC to mark the Anti-Corruption Day 2021.

The Rights and Anti-Corruption Forum of Nigeria hinted that the activities of NDDC are deeply rooted in corruption thereby calling for a change in its managerial positions.

The Body recommended professionals like engineers to manage the affairs of NDDC, for efficiency and effective service delivery.

“We want NDDC to be managed by Professionals as against Politicians. Politicians can take the back seat to be part of the oversight committee to monitor the delivery of services by the professionals to ensure there is checkmate of the system.”

Speaking, the National President of Rights and Anti-Corruption Forum of Nigeria, Comrade Victor Ojei urged President Buhari to intensify the fight against corruption, noting that the impact of corruption is visible in the management of NDDC affairs.

He stated that politicians and administrative staff found wanting should be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

His words; “We are seeing the impacts of corruption being felt in service delivery, procurement processes, and the management of funds, economic stimulus packages and social protection measures.

“Prosecution of politicians and Administrative Staffs found wanting. Let all of them be jailed because if nobody goes to jail, nobody will any lesson.”

While calling the FG to heed to the yearnings of people in the region, the group appealed to Presidency to release the NDDC forensic audit report.

“We call on the presidency to address the issues of none development of the Niger Delta Region of Southern Nigeria. We want accountability, we want good roads, we want aree Education, a stable power supply, standard health facilities.

“We want accountability, we want good roads, free Education, stable power supply, standard health facilities, free medical care, completion of uncompleted PROJECTS, the release of the forensic audit report of NDDC, payment of contractors that are yet to be paid, prosection of Politicians and administrative staffs found wanting, let all of them be jailed because if nobody goes to jail, nobody will learn any lesson.

“We hope this helps us achieve a better Niger Delta Region because Niger Delta should be for Niger Deltans as against Niger Delta for Niger Delta Politicians. Niger Delta has been held hostage by few Politicians,” he said.