The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’s actions in Abia, an oil-producing State, were rated below average by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
When the Ukwa People’s Consultative Council (UPCC) delegation, led by Sir Don Ubani, paid him a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja, Kalu stated the opinion.
The oil-producing region in Abia State is Ukwa.
The delegation said during their presentation that NDDC had fallen short of the community’s expectations and that oil drilling in the area had caused environmental damage and infrastructure decay.
In his remarks, the Deputy Speaker praised the populace for adopting a calm attitude.
“I totally agree with you that, relative to other oil-producing states and members of NDDC, what we have in Abia is below average in terms of developmental interventions,” he added.
There is no doubt that the stakeholders’ request for change is the right call.
“The House Leadership genuinely applauds this level of engagement. A jaw-jaw is preferable to a war-war. We can engage in this way and offer solutions for less money.
This method of resolving disputes is less complicated, more economical, more peaceful.
Therefore, I applaud the Ukwa community’s leadership for holding on to their kids and for maintaining peace while allowing all the IOCs to do their activities in those communities peacefully, despite the fact that development interventions have been below average.
“I urge you to continue upholding the peace in Ukwa, Abia State, and the Niger Delta.
We’ll advance if there is peace. We will be more united if there is peace.
Your visit was a positive move, and I want to reassure you that your request has once again shone a spotlight on the NDDC Committee’s supervision responsibilities for the organization’s operations in the nine states, and particularly right now in Abia State.
