By Sebastine Obasi 

The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for repositioning the commission for optimal performance, especially in the provision of solar-powered electricity in the region.

MOSOP President, Nuyete Biira, who stated this explained that lighting up the entire region has become more or less the most captivating achievement amongst the numerous remarkable steps taken by the commission in its bid to fulfill NDDC‘s mission ”to facilitate the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

“MOSOP has expressed passionate appreciation for the good works of a man who has strategically demonstrated his undiluted understanding that ”light is life”, Biira added.

In the view of MOSOP, anyone who understands the importance of light has the spirit of the Almighty God. According to him, With the provision of light within the region, the commission’s MD/CEO has properly laid a concrete foundation for a new era of great promises and possibilities. The floodgate is now flung open for the ultimate actualization of the NDDC’s vision which touches on the hot button of offering ”a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of the Niger Delta region”.

MOSOP has overtly celebrated the incredibly numerous projects so far carried out by the commission during the short period Samuel Ogbuku assumed the helm of NDDC adding that these projects transverse the entire landscape of all the nine states that make up the Niger Delta region which are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers States.

MOSOP finds it absolutely gratifying that since the emergence of the MD/CEO of the NDDC, there has been visible and concrete departure from the past where the commission would incessantly abandon its mandate for a disappointing reduction to a mere patronage dispensing machine.

“Gone are the dark days when the commission was often unable to deliver on her mandate to the detriment of the territory, which deplorable developmental circumstances had prompted the establishment of the agency.

Thus, it is delectable that the sad period of insanity has been forced out, given way to an era of participatory approach to governance of the NDDC. This benign development has invariably given rise to openness, transparency, accountability and inclusivity, which have strengthened the commission’s drive and focus on carrying out impacting, people-oriented projects and programmes, which have drastically turned things around for the betterment of Niger Delta communities”, the group stated.

Accordingly, MOSOP has passed a vote of confidence on the commission and its management team.

At the Executive Committee meeting of the organisation held in its Port Harcourt office, the President of MOSOP said the landmark achievements recorded by the NDDC by the present management was a pointer to the fact that the protracted nightmare that had since stared our great nation, Nigeria, on the face shall soon become a matter of ”once upon a time” if, and only if other public office holders would borrow leave from the MD/CEO of NDDC.

“We, in MOSOP, heartily commend the NDDC’s MD/CEO for prioritising training in various skills for our youths and electrification of our communities, as a matter of emphasis. The strategic importance of these projects is immeasurable. Apart from the skills enhancing their earning a living, it is pertinent to further emphasize that electricity in the communities will aid reduction in darkness-aided crimes and criminality in these areas.

MOSOP also hailed the ongoing construction of deplorable sections of the East-West road, stretching from Delta to Rivers states, while

urging the commission to consider intervening in the case of Akwa Ibom – Calabar highway, which according to the group has become impassable.