Africa
THE Center for Integrity and Good Governance (CIGC) has called for support for the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Umana Okon Umana, as he carries out his duty on the Niger Delta region.
The National Publicity Secretary of CIGC, Mr Timothy Alabraba, made the call in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.
Alabraba said the support should also be given to the newly appointed acting Managing Director, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua.
Alabraba who described the minister and the acting MD as ”round pegs in round holes” and ”perfect fit for the job”, urged critics to allow them fix the issues in the Niger Delta without distractions.
”Detractors should rather come together and join these men in fixing the rot in the region and the pains of the people, instead of the mudslinging and unwarranted media attacks being orchestrated.
”The minister, exercising his prerogative, saw Audu-Ohwavborua as the best amongst other senior directors in the agency because he has the capacity and competency to drive his policy agenda, and appointed him to lead the critical intervention agency.
”Mr President graciously approved the appointment of Audu-Ohwavborua in acting capacity, to pilot the affairs of the NDDC pending the constitution of a substantive board.
”His appointment should ordinarily make all peace-loving Niger Deltans to come together and work to alleviate the plight of the people.
”Instead, some have been sponsoring spurious and ridiculous media attacks against the persons of the minister and the acting NDDC MD.
“These needless attacks should stop forthwith, as the NDDC is not a private company of anyone, it is an entity for the people of the region,” Alabraba said.
He said that NDDC was meant to alleviate the plights of the people of Niger Delta region and not to further plunge them into untold hardship, especially at this time of flooding that had ravaged homes and killed people.
“The minister and the MD would continue to serve the interests of the people until a board comes to continue to pilot affairs for the Niger Delta people.
”Until then, aggrieved persons should stop the attacks and join hands with the new leadership to work for the people,” he said. (NAN)
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Tags: CIGC Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua NDDC Timothy Alabraba Umana Okon Umana
