Ex-agitators demand integrity in SSDC appointments
Ex-agitators under the auspices of the Akwa Ibom State Ex-agitators Forum have called for proper scrutiny of prospective individuals who would manage the affairs of the South-South Development Commission.
This is as they vowed that they would not allow persons with questionable characters to run the commission and squander the common patrimony of the region.
PUNCH Online reports that President Bola Tinubu recently signed into law the bills establishing both the South-South and South-West Development Commissions, thereby completing the creation of five new Regional Development Commissions, RDCs, across the country.
The SSDC is expected to cater to the developmental needs of the six core oil-producing states in the Niger Delta region, namely: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, Delta, and Rivers States.
Addressing journalists in Uyo on Friday, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Ex-Agitators Forum, Amb. Paulinus Alban, while expressing gratitude to Tinubu and the National Assembly for heeding the yearnings and cries of the region
to establish the commission, however, warned that the commission would not be used as a conduit pipe to siphon money meant for the common good of all.
He stated that having advocated for the establishment of the commission, they would jealously guard it to ensure that only people with good character and track records are appointed to its board.
“It is worth noting that the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators’ Forum has consistently advocated for southern solidarity, justice, equity, and an end to the marginalisation of southern politicians. The establishment of the South-South Development Commission is a meaningful step in realising these aspirations. We will not allow people with questionable characters to manage the affairs of the commission”, Alban said.
Speaking in the same vein, the forum’s spokesperson, Alfred Etuk, urged that only persons of unquestionable character, accountability, and transparency should be appointed to key positions within the commission. He emphasised that those entrusted with managing the SSDC must be individuals with proven integrity and unblemished records.
Etuk warned that the forum would not hesitate to expose and challenge any official found engaging in corrupt practices, citing the leadership of Samuel Ogbuku at the Niger Delta Development Commission as an example worthy of emulation.
“The establishment of the Commission will spur employment and development across the South-South region. We expect a ripple effect of progress and prosperity. Therefore, those who will manage the SSDC must be thoroughly scrutinised. We shall commend good leadership, just as we have with Samuel Ogbuku at the NDDC, but we shall not hesitate to confront failure or corruption.
“We shall ensure that accountability and credibility are the guiding principles of the SSDC. We will not allow our common patrimony to be looted. We will not allow it in the hands of thieves, this is one thing we have promised them. This is not a threat, but a solemn declaration of intent. Anyone who comes with the intention to exploit or milk the region dry will be met with resistance. We shall stand against that with unwavering resolve”, Etuk added.
