- • Calls on President Tinubu to disregard self-serving accusations
Former member, Federal House of Representatives in the 9th Assembly, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has flayed the call by a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Delta State, High Chief Michael Johnny, on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to renew the tenure of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
Chief Johnny, the Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Delta state had alleged malfeasance, maladministration, and politicisation of the commission under the current leadership of the intervention agency as the reason for his call on the anti-graft agencies to investigate the NDDC under Ogbuku.
In his response via a statement on Saturday made available to journalists in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Sunny-Goli described Johnny as a rabble rouser and an attention seeker.
Sunny-Goli, who is chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa State, said Johnny’s views clearly contradicted those of the good people of the Niger Delta region.
The former lawmaker’s statement reads in part: “For the first time, the people of the Niger Delta region are feeling the impact of the intervention agency through its people-centred initiatives, programmes, and policies.
“We have never had it this good as a people, as can be seen in the sense of belonging every well-meaning stakeholder has been accorded through the open-door policy of the Ogbuku-led NDDC.
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“The NDDC under Ogbuku is intentional in facilitating the rapid and sustainable development of the region and has shown unwavering commitment in this regard. As we can all attest to, the commission under Ogbuku is creating economic prosperity, social stability, ecological regeneration, and political peace in the region, which are the core mandate of the commission.
“Look at the Youth Internship Scheme, for instance. It is a strategic initiative launched to support the professional growth and employability of Niger Delta youths. The programme aims to select 10,000 beneficiaries in its first phase, who will participate in a 12-month internship, to give them experiential learning opportunities that will enhance their personal development and industry, as well as add value to the region.
“The medical outreaches embarked upon by the commission have been well received across the Niger Delta, as thousands have been provided with free medical services, including surgeries where needed.
“The NDDC under Ogbuku has delivered a lot of projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta, focusing on enhancing infrastructure, healthcare access, and agricultural development.
“The commission’s commitment to empowering communities through education, skills training, and job creation is evident under Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership.”