Ijaw youths under the aegis of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide, at the weekend, announced the suspension of the planned “mother of all protest” at the headquarters of NDDC in Port Harcourt to allow the sole administrator superintend over the conclusion of the forensic audit of the commission.
They, however, warned that the appointment of their kinsman, Engr Udengs Eradiri, a former president of the IYC as Special Adviser on Youth Matters to the Sole Administrator should not be taken as a means to silence their agitation for a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The National Spokesman of the IYC, Comrade Ebilade Ekerefe, who made this known, in Yenagoa, said the decision to put on hold the protest was reached after wide consultation with critical stakeholders and leaders of thought in the Niger Delta as well as critical organs of the council.
He, however, warned that “plans to carry out their ‘mother of all protests’ is still on course, if the substantive board is not inaugurated by April.”
According to him, “having consulted with critical stakeholders and leaders of thoughts within the region, critical organs of council, we, therefore, resolved to put on hold the planned ‘mother of all protests’ at the Headquarters of NDDC in Port Harcourt, to allow the sole administrator superintend over the conclusion of the forensic audit as alluded by the Hon Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“The agitation for the appointment of a substantive board for the commission has also led to the protest against the strange and unknown appointment of a sole administrator for the commission.
“Many have expressed confidence in the ability of the Ijaw youths under the IYC to ensure that the contentious issues, including the nine-point demands by the Niger Delta governors and other stakeholders in the region are acted upon.
“In spite of the pressure, and betrayal, the IYC forged ahead. I am happy to inform you, that despite the pressure and compromising stance of a few, the agitation resulted in breaking the silence of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, on a new timeline for the appointment of a substantive board.
He said and we quote “a substantive board will be appointed in April, 2021 by which time the forensic auditors have submitted their report to the Federal Government.”
“What we have gathered from the new timeline is the fact that the Sole Administrator, Mr Effiong Akwa has four-month tenure to remain in office.
“Though we have observed that the past promises made by the Federal Government on the issues of NDDC, Amnesty Office, the East-West Road, and other issues concerning our development, have never been fulfilled.
“We would be waiting, monitoring and engaging the Federal Government and Minister Godswill Akpabio on these numerous contentious issues.”
On the appointment of Engr. Udengs Eradiri as SA Youth to the Sole Administrator, the IYC said though positive and for a purpose, “it should not be taken as a means to silence the Ijaw youths.
