By George Onah
Port Harcourt—A Niger Delta  group, Jonathan Success Movement, JSM, has called on the Federal Government to release the N300 billion owed the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, withheld by government.

Also, the Niger Delta Students’ Union Government has faulted the masterplan of the NDDC, saying that it does not include the educational development of the region, “which means that the region would remain stagnant.”

However, the national Coordinator of the JSM,  Chief Sunnie Chukwumele told newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, that it was regrettable that the people look up to the NDDC for thorough growth of the region, yet it was owed so much funds.

He said that the Commission can only perform when funds due it are made available promptly and asked government to adequately fund the Ministry of Niger Delta “to enable the Ministry function  well.”

On 2011 general elections, JSM said it was up to Nigerians whether President Goodluck Jonathan should contest or not but praised the President “for the one-man one-vote philosophy,” explaining that the country was at the threshold of history over the electoral reforms.

But the President of Niger Delta Students’ Union Government, Mr Genesis Idikibiemina viewed the masterplan of the NDDC as only focusing on infrastructural development and rehabilitation of former militants without attention to the educational growth of the region.

Represented by Miss Patience Orji, the students argued that “it is our divine right to have all our existing educational structures in the region properly equipped and funded.”

It is our divine right to give Niger Delta academics the necessary opportunities and support to enable them excel in their various fields.”