NDDC was established on 5th of June 2000, as an intervention agency to address the developmental challenges, of the Niger Delta region by President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ever since, the Commission has expended trillions of naira on environment, roads, bridges, jetties, embankment, reclamation/sandfilling projects etc, albeit to the exclusion of women empowerment.
We have seen cases where billions were spent in this same NDDC on fraudulent, white elephant, overpadded and even ghost/non-existing projects. But the Commission has consistently and deliberately ignored the development of the women in the region.
It is only in the NDDC that inclusive growth has been defined without the development of the women.
Human Capital Development is a basic parameter for the economic growth and stability of any society but Dr Samuel Ogbuku and his team obviously believes otherwise.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku led NDDC prepared a budget of #876 billion naira without any single project for the health, education of women.
With less than #30B , we could have one specialist hospital built in every Niger Delta State, to take care of one health condition or another related to female health challenges.
Not one single project or scheme targeted at improving infant mortality, maternal mortality or girl child education.
What about creating specific economic empowerment schemes/program for the Niger Delta woman, knowing that the informal business sector(SMEs) is the major driver of any economy.
Soft loans and grants as a major instrument.
The reason behind all the agitations that led to arm struggle was for the inclusion of our people and region, given that our land, air and waterways have been grossly violated by pollution from Oil and Gas activities.
It therefore becomes very painful, inconsiderate and deliberate that the Niger Delta woman, who is at the base of it all is excluded in a systemic manner.
It is failure of leadership by drivers of the process to articulate and execute a budget of #876 billion naira, thereby demonstrating this shameful and unimaginable level of gross negligence, neglect and lack of capacity.
This is a grand conspiracy against the Niger Delta woman and we say NO to it.
Niger Delta women cannot play second fiddle any more.
We refuse to be ignored any more.
There must be conscious/deliberate policies to address the economic development of the Niger Delta woman.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku led NDDC must as a matter of urgency evolve a roadmap to address issues of;
Targeted economic empowerment,
Maternal mortality rate,
Infant mortality rate,
Girl child education amongst others.
This is the only way to grow a productive populace of the female gender in the Niger Delta region.
Sadly, with all the trillions spent by Dr Samuel Ogbuku and his predecessors, not a single penny was dedicated to consider the plight of the Niger Delta woman.
THAT’S WHY WE SAY ACT NOW OR LEAVE THE COMMISSION.
Please join us:
14th & 15th September,2023- 1 Million Women Match against Dr Samuel Ogbuku and his team.
For participation call/WhatsApp:
08039547900,
09153122118.
Signed:
- Hon. Sheila Abiye Tamuno
National President
( 08039547900 ). - Ajemina Gobo
Rivers State Co-ordinator - Madam Eureal Allagoa
Bayelsa State Co-ordinator - Madam Glory A Akpama
Cross Rivers State. Co-ordinator. - Eucharia Ezidimma Ewurum.
Imo State Co-ordinator - Madam Isesele Francisca Ofure,
Edo State Co-ordinator. - Madam Unwana Ibanga,
Akwa Ibom State Co-ordinator. - Chief Okubakere Ominisan,
Ondo State Co-ordinator. - Madam Happy Otojareri,
Delta State Co-ordinator. - Madam Amarachi Lydia Clairebelle Ijezie,
Abia State Co-ordinator. - Amb. Ojineme Enakheme
FCT Coordinator