By FESTUS AHON
UGHELLI- Association of Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, has kicked against the proposal to put the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, under the Ministry of Niger Delta.

Noting that NDDC was created by an act of the National Assembly and could only be tampered with through an act of  legislature, the association  stressed that the ministry  which was created by executive fiat, could be withdrawn any day by any President.

TROMPCON, in a statement by its National Deputy Chairman, Zone 1, HRM Onajite Igere Adjara III, Ovie of Ogor (Delta), HRH Eze S.Ogundu, Nyenwe-Ali of Omademe/Ozouaha/Ipo/ Omagwa (Rivers) and three other traditional rulers, appealed for the proper funding of the commission.

TROMPCON which said it has been in court to demand full compliance by the Federal Government with its funding obligations to the commission as prescribed by Section 14, (2) of NDDC Act 2000, insisted that the funding of the commission was not a privilege, “but an inalienable right provided by law, which must be respected by a rule of law-driven government.”

It expressed delight at the probe panel setup by President Goodluck Jonathan over the internal wrangling in the NDDC, adding that the decision underscores the President’s commitment to widening the frontiers of the rule of law in the country.

Condemning the killings and maiming of innocent Nigerians, foreigners and destruction of property since their son, Jonathan came on board, the forum called on those behind the killings to retrace their steps in the interest of enduring peace in the country.