Headline
21 Years After NDDC Creation, N’Delta Still Underdeveloped – Social Activist Laments
Published
2 years agoon
By
Editor21 years after the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, a Commission saddled with the responsibility of developing the region was established, the region remains underdeveloped and still agitating for development as it used to be years ago.
Programme coordinator, Social Action, Isaac Botti, made this saddening submission in Benin on behalf of the Managing Director of the body in a Town Hall Meeting organised by Social Action with support from MacArthur Foundation.
The Town Hall Meeting, with the theme: ‘Community Approach to Promoting Accountability, Inclusive and Efficient Service Delivery by the NDDC’ was aimed at enlightening members of the public on the need to be involved in the preparation and implementation of the NDDC budget and the need for them to engaging the Commission in execution of project in their locality.
In his opening remarks, Botti lamented that despite generating over N100 trillion to the federation account in the past few years, the Niger Delta region which generated such huge amount has nothing to show for it.
READ ALSO: Transparency Key To Niger Delta Development – NDDC Boss
While adding that the NDDC has failed woefully in its mandate of developing the region in terms of infrastructure and social amenities, Botti lamented that the Niger Delta of today was not what the founders of NDDC envisioned when they established the Commission.
“The Niger Delta where over 100trillion has come out as revenue for the government, is far from development. The Niger Delta we have today is not what was envisioned when this Commission was set up 21 years ago.
“When the NDDC was set up 21 years ago, we were of the hope that by 2020, we will have a Niger Delta of the same standard of Infrastructure, same quality of life like Dubai but unfortunately, 21 years after, we are faced with that sad reality – development is still far from us,” he lamented.
He blamed the citizenry for being part of the problem in terms of NDDC failure in developing the region by not holding the Commission responsible and not asking questions on some projects executed by the NDDC in their domains.
“A fundamental challenge that we have observed, which is also critical to the level of corruption in the Commission is that, we as citizens, we are not engaging the NDDC enough. Many things are being done that we are not part of. A lot of things are being done that we do not know anything about.
“We want to strengthen citizens participation in NDDC budget process and its implementation,” he said.
Panel of discussants drawn from representives from comminity heads (chiefs) community leaders, host communities representives, civil society organistions, market women, representives from the pysically challenged, etc all said that the NDDC has failed in delivering its mandate.
They also berrated the Commission for not involving communities whenever projects are being executed in such communities.
READ ALSO: NDDC Board: Akpabio Did Not Bribe Tompolo – Militant Group
You may like
NDDC Board: Ondo HostCom Gives FG 7-day Ultimatum Over Nominee List
NDDC Appointment: Trouble Looms As Oil And Gas Communities In Edo Threaten To Shut Down Exploration
JUST IN: Tinubu Drops Cross River, Ondo Nominees In NDDC Board
BREAKING: Tinubu Appoints New Board, Management Team For NDDC
Cash Cow Comment: Wike Is Kettle Calling Pot Black — Ex-Spokesperson, PANDEF
Why We Won’t Join Issues With Wike Over ‘Cash Cow’ Label — NDDC
Headline
10 Killed As two Military Helicopters Collide
Published
2 hours agoon
April 23, 2024By
EditorTwo Malaysian military helicopters collided and crashed during a training session on Tuesday, killing all 10 crew onboard, the country’s rescue agency said.
“The two helicopters collided during flight training. All 10 victims on board have been confirmed dead by the medical officers,” Suhaimy Mohamad Suhail, senior operations commander from the fire and rescue department said.
Footage shared online showed several helicopters flying low in a formation over the Lumut naval stadium in a flypast rehearsal ahead of the navy fleet’s open day celebrations in May.
READ ALSO: One Dead, Seven Missing As Two Military Helicopters Collide, Crash
One of the choppers was seen clipping the rear rotor of another helicopter, causing both to go into a tailspin and crash.
The two helicopters involved were a Eurocopter AS555SN Fennec and an AgustaWestland AW139, the rescue agency said.
Photos showed the Eurocopter model heavily mangled in the wreckage on the naval base stadium track with rescue personnel surrounding it as well as various debris.
The AgustaWestland helicopter crashed at the naval base’s swimming pool area.
READ ALSO: Four Passengers Dead, Five Injured In Kwara Multiple Autocrash
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sent his condolences to the families of the victims, saying “the nation mourns the heart-wrenching and soul-wrenching tragedy”.
“I was informed that an immediate investigation will be carried out by the Ministry of Defense, especially TLDM (Royal Malaysian Navy), to find the cause of the crash,” he said.
Incidents involving helicopters are not uncommon in the Southeast Asian nation.
Last month, a Malaysian coast guard helicopter crashed in the Strait of Malacca with no fatalities.
In 2016, a deputy minister was among those who died after a Eurocopter AS350 crashed in the Malaysian state of Sarawak.
AFP
The Israeli Defense Forces, IDF, on Monday said an Israeli drone was shot down over Lebanon on Sunday night.
Writing on Telegram, the IDF said a surface-to-air missile was launched at the drone that was operating in Lebanese airspace, adding that the drone was hit and had landed in Lebanon.
It added that fighter jets struck the missile launch site.
Fighting broke out with Lebanon on Sunday, with the Israeli army announcing that two shells had been fired in the direction of the village of Rosh Hanikra in northern Israel on the Mediterranean Sea.
The Israeli Army attacked the locations from which the shots were fired and fighter jets had also attacked terror infrastructure north-east of Nabatieh, it said.
READ ALSO: Tension Heightens As US, Britain , France, Others React To Iran Strikes On Israel
Previously, fighter jets had also fired on targets belonging to the Iran-backed Lebanese Shiite militia Hezbollah.
Both Hezbollah and the military arm of Palestinian militant organisation Hamas claimed responsibility for attacks on Israel on Sunday.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war in October, deaths and injuries have resulted from daily firing on the border between Lebanon and Israel.
Headline
VIDEO: First Female Transgender Mosque Opens In Bangladesh
Published
18 hours agoon
April 22, 2024By
EditorThe world’s first female transgender mosque has reportedly opened in Bangladesh.
In the video shared by DW, some of the worshippers who transitioned from being males to females were seen observing the Muslim prayers.
READ ALSO: “Got To f*** k The President’s Wife” – Kanye West Wishes Threesome With Michelle Obama[VIDEO]
It was further gathered that the land where the mosque was built, was donated by the government. The transgender Muslims expressed excitement over the development, adding that they are happy they will live and be buried like every other person.
Watch the video below…
20-year-old English Midfielder, Bellingham Wins 2024 Laureus World Sports Breakthrough Award
10 Killed As two Military Helicopters Collide
BREAKING: Dangote Further Crashes Diesel, Aviation Fuel Price
Trending
- News5 days ago
‘Have Some Conscience’ – Lady Tackles Salvation Ministries Founder, Ibiyeomie, Over 20% Of Salary As Offering Preaching [VIDEO]
- News5 days ago
APC Debunks Viral Video, Says Presidency Not After Ganduje
- Metro5 days ago
Police Rescue Three Toddlers Locked Up In Lagos Home
- Politics2 days ago
Edo Guber: Akoko-Edo PDP Leaders Meet In Igara, Describe Ighodalo, Ogie As ‘Perfect Match’
- Entertainment20 hours ago
Bridesmaids’ Dance At Wedding Causes Stir On Social Media [VIDEO/PHOTOS]
- Headline4 days ago
Best Airports In Africa For 2024 Named, Nigeria Missing [Full List]
- News3 days ago
Foundation Advocates Empowerment Of Women, Youth In Nigeria
- Metro4 days ago
BREAKING: Protests As Gunmen Kill 12 In Plateau Village
- Headline5 days ago
UPDATED: Defence Chief, Nine Others Die In Kenya Military Helicopter Crash
- News4 days ago
JUST IN: Tinubu Appoints SEC Chairman, Board Members