An advocacy group known as Niger Delta For Accountability and National Progress, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately inaugurate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board vetted by the security agencies and confirmed by the senate two years ago in order to avert a crisis in the oil rich region.

The group also said that for the sake of fairness, the President should complete the process he started two years ago by inaugurating the board of directors he personally nominated and submitted to the National Assembly for confirmation.

In a statement signed, it stated that there is no need constituting a new board when the one already screened and confirmed by the senate is made up of capable professionals of impeccable character.

The statement read, “The board confirmed two years ago, remains the best option as it was attested to by the wide acceptance it got from the Niger Delta and major stakeholders applauded the presidency for doing the right thing, and there were no voices then negating Mr. President’s action.

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“So, we call on President Muhammadu Buhari, to stick to his character of discipline, consistency and credible action by inaugurating the board confirmed two years ago; and by so doing he will be directly responsible for delivering a capable and efficient NDDC board for the Niger Delta people which will endure the lasting peace and consolidate on national progress.”

The group noted that the current tension and situation in the region is as a result of the avoidable and dangerous politics of certain actors, adding that the NDDC came into being from the collective sacrifices of the Niger Delta people devoid of the politics or party affiliation.

The group queried why the destiny of the region is placed in the whims and caprices of politicians who don’t care about the high poverty rate in the region that provides 90 per cent of the nation’s resources.

The group advised the president to initiate a process of good faith and confidence with the Niger Delta people for their betterment and the reckons of posterity.

“We have been here before, we’re all too familiar with the dynamics of the Niger Delta, we’re having a situation with the tell tale signs where the current agitation and impulse will deteriorate when not nipped in the bud,” it concluded.