Asari-Dokubo Tells Tinubu To Scrap NDDC, Gives Reason

Asari-Dokubo Tells Tinubu To Scrap NDDC, Gives Reason

Niger Delta leader and activist, Alhaji Mujahid Asari-Dokubo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to abolish the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and revert to the former Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).

Asari-Dokubo argued that current circumstances warrant the return to OMPADEC, which was established in 1992 to rehabilitate and develop oil-producing areas in Nigeria.

He emphasized that this move is pertinent due to the presence of oil-producing communities outside the Niger Delta region.

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He stated that the name change from OMPADEC to NDDC in 2000 implies that NDDC was designed to address the concerns of only oil-producing regions in the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.

Asari-Dokubo appealed, “Mr. President, I want to express my gratitude and commend your decision to reinstate the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. This decision underscores your determination, reflects your deep comprehension of the challenges and distinctive needs of the Niger Delta region, and underscores your commitment to addressing them.”

He continued, “Mr. President, I believe you are well aware that the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) was instituted to rehabilitate and advance the Oil Mineral Producing Areas of Nigeria that have been subjected to severe ecological damage and environmental pollution. This signifies that oil-producing regions not located in the Niger Delta geographically are covered by OMPADEC’s initiatives.”

“The alteration in nomenclature from OMPADEC to NDDC suggests that the commission was set up to address the grievances of exclusively the oil-producing regions in the Niger Delta states of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers.”

Asari-Dokubo further urged, “Mr. President, I implore you to consider reinstating the name of NDDC to OMPADEC, along with its central mission to tackle the issues related to the rehabilitation and growth of oil-producing regions in Nigeria, including Abia, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta, Imo, Kogi, Rivers, and any other region blessed with oil minerals.”

“From the analysis, it is evident that NDDC is not associated with the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Oil-producing areas should be assessed on their individual merits, while the Niger Delta territories of Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states should be acknowledged purely as Niger Delta from both a geographic and scientific standpoint.”

Concluding his statement of commendation, Asari-Dokubo expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for reviving the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, highlighting that “among all endeavors to address the concerns of the Niger Delta, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is a direct endeavor that plays a crucial role in orchestrating and implementing programs and initiatives aimed at advancing sustainable development, peace, and stability in the oil-rich region.”