NDDC appeals to Niger-Delta youths over Pipeline vandalism

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Ibim Semenitari, has appealed to Niger Delta youths to desist from destroying oil installations in the region.

Semenitari made the appeal while speaking with newsmen ahead of Tuesday’s inauguration of the Rivers State office of the commission in Port Harcourt.

She said the attack on oil installations would lead to reduced funding for the NDDC, which would adversely affect the operations of the agency.

Seminetari also said the multi-billion naira Ogbia- Nembe Road in Bayelsa State will be inaugurated later this month to drive development in that part of the state.

She assured contractors that the N450 billion being owed them will be paid immediately the commission gets the over 800 billion from the federal government and monies from other contributors.

According to Semenitari, “What I want to say is that we are also not helping ourselves. I keep saying to our young people, the majority of our funding comes from derivation. The NDDC cannot be expecting money as long as there is no oil production.

“Our funds is a question of if there is oil and if we are selling the oil. We get more funding anytime we get more oil, but if we don’t get oil, we get less funding. So, please, let’s stop blowing up pipelines.”