The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has tasked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure even spread of developmental projects to Ukwa community in Abia State.
He further said that the nine states making up the NDDC should not be neglected
Kalu said this during an interactive session with the delegation from Ukwa People’s Consultative Council led by its President General Don Ubani in Abuja
The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
Kalu expressed worry over the concerns raised by the delegation on the “undue marginalization of Ukwa as an oil producing Community”.
He said there was need to ensure equal spread of intervention projects of the NDDC across the nine states.
According to him, the area is known for oil production and the status of Abia State as a member of NDDC came as a result of its ability to produce oil and gas from Ukwa.
“Interestingly, some of the things you mentioned have been my concerns in the 9th Assembly, in regards to the spread of intervention programs of the NDDC across the nine states.
He said this led to the first visit of the acting MD that toured Abia, Imo and other states.
Kalu said he insisted that the tour was necessary, to have a proper update of their presence in various parts of the states.
This, according to him, is to be able to establish whether or not, the report they see on papers is the same thing on ground.
“I totally agree with you that, what we have in Abia, as an oil producing state and as a member of NDDC, comparatively speaking, is below average, in terms of developmental interventions.
“A call from the stakeholders that an improvement should take place, is definitely not a wrong call.
The deputy Speaker commended the leadership of Ukwa community for holding their youths and in spite the fact that the development interventions were below average.
He said they kept their heads peacefully and allowed all the IOCs handle their operations peacefully in those communities.
Earlier, Ubani who led the delegation, solicited the support of the House leadership towards ensuring equity and fair distribution of developmental projects to Ukwa community.
He said a time had existed in this system where the entire South East was shut-out, but under the present administration, at least the people have been given a sense of belonging
He said farmers in Ukwa federal constituency could not farm effectively because the fertility of the soil had been diminished due to oil exploration and exploitation.
“Let there be manifestation of concern on the part of NDDC. Nothing so far has given us course to be happy as oil producing area.
“We need to avoid situation that will create youth restiveness and the best way to do it is to make sure that there’s development, ” he said.
