Youths protest alleged neglect by NDDC

By Jimitota Onoyume
PORT HARCOURT—FOR the second time within two months, youths from the nine member states of the Niger Delta embarked on protest that almost crippled activities at the headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Port Harcourt.

The youths, who stormed the place on Wednesday carrying placards, said they were protesting what they termed failure of the commission to live up to its promises to them.

According to their spokesman, Mr. White Diepreye,  after they were trained on various vocational skills, the commission assured it would release funds for them to take off on their own, but reneged on its promises.Some of them said they completed their training programme in 2005.

Effort by the youths to meet with the Managing Director of the Commission failed.
Meanwhile, they said they were acting on behalf of 15,000 other youths who allegedly participated in the skill acquisition programme.

It took the timely intervention of security operatives to calm the situation.

The Head, Corporate Affairs of  the Commission, Dr. Christy Atako, avoided comment on the development, saying she was in a meeting.