Oluwaseun Akingboye, Akure.
A stakeholder in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Ondo State, Mr. Olabamiji Mafimisebi, has decried the deplorable states of the mandate areas and state at large.
Mafimisebi, who spoke with The Guardian in Akure yesterday, stated that the core mandates for the establishment of the commission are not felt in the areas and state at large.
However, he blamed the representatives of the commission, whom he said are from Ilaje and Ese-Odo councils, for abandoning the areas despite the huge money voted for developmental projects in the region.
“NDDC does not have any impact, positively: I cannot see their projects, water, transformers, even the water hyacinths projects they used to give the youths, are not forthcoming.
“What exactly is wrong? This country belongs to all of us. We all belong this state and to Ilaje, Ilaje belongs to us. There has not been light in the four coastal councils in the South Senatorial District.
“I am aware that NDDC shares transformers for rural electrification projects, where are these transformers?”
Mafimisebi, who resides in Rivers State and lamented the huge developmental projects between the two states, urged the stakeholders in the area to “put our hands on deck” so that the dividends of the commission can be better felt in the state.
He also implored those planting the seed of discord among the various kingdoms: Ugbo, Mahin, Etikan and Ahaeri to discard their individual differences to unite as a people.
“Let us look for a way to unite ourselves and harmonize our resources for the development of our people. This is my pain, so that our children will not suffer in the nearest future.”
On the agitations for representation in the commission and the position of Managing Director to be zoned to the state, he said the vacuum has created a lot of hardship and deprivation to the state at large.
Mafimisebi, who hails from Mahin Kingdom, implored Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to prevail on the Federal Government to appoint a representative from the state to the commission, tasking the communities to nominate a credible candidate.
He also solicited for more collaboration with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi so that the natural resources available in the state such as fishing terminals, seaport and other opportunities can be exploited for all round developments.
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Akingboye Joseph Oluwaseun
