LAGOS SEPTEMBER 22ND (URHOBOTODAY)-The Erstwhile Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah, has berated the Niger Delta Development Commission for the poor state and underdevelopment of the Niger Delta Region.
Obong Attah who stated this on Thursday during the meeting of Elders and opinion leaders of the South South, organized by South South Consolidated Forum, SFC, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital said the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has over the years impoverished the region by embarking on projects that has no direct impact on the people.
He emphasized that provision of school furniture, electric transformers, and digging of boreholes by the commission are not activities that will change the fortunes of the region.
The Akwa Ibom state Ex-Governor who admonished the people of the region not to blame the Federal Government entirely for the lack of development in the region said that the governors of the South South should also be held responsible.
He said: “We like to blame the Federal Government for the problems of the South-South when in actual fact we have not gotten a fair deal from our governors.
“What have the governors done with the 13 per cent derivation for the South South over the years?”
He emphasized that the grievances of the region would be better channeled if the various groups in the zone speak with one voice.
He stressed that if the entire people of the region could come together and speak with one voice, the cries of the South South will certainly be heard.