The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, has urged youth leaders and ex-agitators in Niger Delta to sustain existing peace and security in the region.

Ekere made the call at a meeting with the ex-agitators under the auspices of Environmental Rights Advocates for Niger Delta, on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

He urged the youths to support Federal Government in ensuring continued peace, which would engender sustained development in the area and country.

He appealed to the youths to promote peace, especially as electioneering was about to commence ahead of the 2019 general elections.

“We are at the verge of electioneering campaigns for 2019 general elections.

“I want to appeal that you should continue to uphold peace.

“Don’t allow yourselves to be used by politicians for electoral violence because if they use you for election violence today, tomorrow they will forget you,” Ekere said.

He stated that the country needed a peaceful environment for progress, pointing out that elections would come and go but the people would continue to live together.

Ekere commended the youth leaders for supporting the Federal Government, saying “Today, the youths are more tolerant and willing to be engaged in discussions rather than resort to violent agitations.

“They are now consulting with agencies and companies.

“You are no longer taking laws into your hands.”

The NDDC boss acknowledged that the peaceful atmosphere in the region had reduced the level of violence and pipeline vandalism which had reflected in remarkable rise in oil production.

He commended Federal Government for its passion to develop Niger Delta and in ensuring that the country was out of recession.

Earlier, President of Environmental Right Advocates for Niger Delta, Mr Reuben Wilson, had commended the government for sustaining the Amnesty Programme.

Wilson confessed that initially the agitators were afraid that the Federal Government would scrap the programme when President Muhammadu Buhari took over as President.

“We are glad that the Presidential Amnesty Programme is still alive and functioning very well.

“We are grateful that the stipends for amnesty beneficiaries are released at every end of the month.

“We also thank the President for ensuring the release of funds to the NDDC for the development of the region,” he said.

Wilson also commended the management of NDDC for efficient use of resources available to it for rapid development of the region. (NAN)

– Oct. 16, 2018 @ 19:05 GMT |