By Nosa Akenzua, Asaba
Piqued by the non-appointment of an Ndokwa indigene into the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC), a group known as Concerned Ndokwa Patriots ( CNP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to address the imbalance by not appointing Ndokwa indigene into the board.
In a letter addressed to President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, a copy made available to Journalists in Asaba on Wednesday, said since the inception of the Commission, and despite its huge oil and gas deposit, no Ndokwa indigene has been appointed into the board, regretting that it was rather unfortunate and injustice.
The letter signed by the national Coordinator of the group, Mr Victor Okwuepusu and the Secretary, Barr Ben Elu stated that among the the five oil and gas Producing ethnic nationalities namely; Ndokwa, Isoko, Itsekiri, Ijaw and Urhobo in Delta State, it’s apposite to state that Since the reconstitution of the NDDC Board on five different occasions, the Urhobos, Ijaws, Isokos and Itsekiris have been appointed time and again except the indigene of Ndokwa ethnic group.
“We are Constrained to draw attention to the Continued neglect of Ndokwa people in the Politics of our dear Country, Nigeria despite the enormous Contributions that we have made in terms of human, materials and natural resources for the Sustenance of this country
Ndokwa people are notably agarian farmers, growing crops Such as Cassava,Yam, Plantain, Melon and they additionally engage in fishing, rubber and Palm Oil extraction which have been the major Sources of Sustainable income but Ndokwa is second in oil Producing and we are neglect in appointments”, the group said.
The group further noted that the Ndokwa nation has Strategically Contributed to the economic prosperity of Nigeria, adding that Oil was first discovered in Commercial quantity in Beneku Community in Ndokwa land in 1958 by Italian Oil giant Agip oil Company with several oil and gas exploration and production Companies operating in the area without hindrance.
“Ndokwa has the largest gas recycling plant in the whole of West Africa Called Kwale/ Okpai Gas Plant Operated by Nigerian Agip oil Company ( NAOC) Commissioned by the Former Military President, Ibrahim Babangida in 1987,” the group added
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