This follows Akpabio’s launch of a Youth Internship Scheme initiated by the NDDC for 10,000 youths from the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities and Selected Stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Akpabio declared that the proposed nationwide protests by some youths would not take place in the nine states of the Niger Delta, describing the region as a protest-free zone.
Detailing the Youth Internship Scheme, the Senate President said, “the 10,000 youths would be engaged in the programme designed to improve their skills, noting that the beneficiaries in the first phase would be paid N50,000 monthly.”
Akpabio stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the development of the Niger Delta region. He noted that following a presidential directive, the NDDC recently inaugurated five flagship projects covering roads, bridges, and electricity across the region.
He commended the NDDC for restoring some damaged sections of the East-West Road and assured that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project would not only commence from Lagos but would also start simultaneously from the Niger Delta.
Akpabio added that despite the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region, the NDDC had executed several projects that had improved the lives of the people, promising that henceforth, the Commission would receive its full share of statutory allocations.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, assured that the Commission would continue to focus on completing capital projects that would add value to the Niger Delta region.
Ebie said, “Our commitment is to work towards transforming the region, in line with the 8-Point Presidential Priorities, as well as in accordance with the demands of the NDDC Act of 2000.”
He thanked members of the National Assembly for expeditiously passing the 2024 budget of the Commission, which would set the tone for the implementation of projects and programmes benefiting the people of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, remarked that the people of the Niger Delta region had transitioned from militant agitation to intellectual struggle, noting that the region was now reaping the benefits of these struggles.
“We will also partner with the Bank of Industry to fund projects, support businesses, and facilitate the success of our empowerment programmes. We will provide all necessary support for youth entrepreneurship schemes,” he added.
Ogbuku urged Niger Deltans not to be lured into any protest that could destabilise the country, as such actions would hinder development and further impoverish the ordinary people.
In his goodwill message, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, stressed that progress could only be achieved through unity and peace.
He lauded the Board and Management of the NDDC for working hand-in-glove to develop the Niger Delta region.
Similarly, the National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien, acknowledged the numerous achievements of the NDDC and appealed to Niger Delta youths to disregard those calling for protests.
The President of the Ijaw Youth Council, Jonathan Lopkobiri, maintained that Niger Deltans had no business with those inciting youths to anarchy. He observed that the protesters’ demands did not address the long-neglected East-West Road.
He commended the NDDC for providing relief to users of the road, which he noted was still threatened by flooding.
Meanwhile, Ex-agitators vow to protest against Tinubu, PAP
The ex-agitators under the auspices of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) first Phase, have insisted on going ahead with the planned protest in the Niger Delta region.
The ex-militants vowed to protest against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) and other interventionist agencies in the region.
The position was also endorsed by the National Chairman Ex-militant leaders in Niger Delta region, national leader of concern Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, National leaders Niger Delta movement for good governance, ex-freedom fighters of the Niger Delta region, Coalition of Niger Delta students and Coalition of Aggrieved Niger Delta Youths.
The ex-agitators in a statement signed by Gen. Franklin Igodo, argued that “protest is a guaranteed right of citizens in every democratic society incorporated both in our domestic laws and international human rights instruments”.
Igodo said: “From the lens of history, we remember when President Tinubu sponsored a national Protest against our Own Brother and Leader the former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan.
“We are fully aware and directly affected with the economic hardship, inflation, harsh economic policies, over-taxation, starvation, unemployment, insecurity, and essentially bad governance and unbearable living.
“We have mobilized all of our delegates and impacted communities members to be fully involved in this landmark national protest.
“The planned Nationwide protest on the 1st of August is a welcome development as it’s going to be an opportunity for us to draw the attention of Mr President Tinubu to our challenges in NDDC and the Presidential Amnesty Program.
“In the past 11 years after the Amnesty was Announced by late president Yar’Adua. Our salaries havw been 65 thousand naira up to this moment when a bag of rice has become 85 thousand naira in 2024 under a President who has no feelings for her citizens, especially the Niger Delta region, Only a dead man will stay at home when history is about to be made against bad Governance.
*Our resolution today is to totally and completely be part of this protest. We will rather die intend of fold our hands and die in hunger under bad governance.
“The truth is that whether we protest or stay at home. We will still die, but we don’t want to die through hunger, we have decided to Mobilize five thousand youths who feel the pains of the bad governance”.
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