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Omo-Idehen Wants NDDC Operational Modalities Overhauled, Says PIB Must Reflect Equity, Viability

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2021

Editor

Mr. George Omo-Idehen, a renowned manager and political strategist has recommended an outright overhauling of the operational modalities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) upon completion of its ongoing forensic audit.

Mr. Omo-Idehen, who made the call in a heavily worded, duly referenced, and well-crafted fifteen-page treatise titled ‘NDDC: Promises Made. Promises Unfulfilled’, stated that the NDDC was set up as a regional intervention agency by the Federal Government to improve the living conditions of indigenes of Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, culminating in an effective economic impact, that would prevent restiveness in the region which is the main source of the nation’s oil resources.

Providing an in-depth venture into the historical and foundational metamorphosis of the NDDC, he stated in lucid terms that the developmental course into its formation, purpose, and mandate, as well as recommendations to achieving its objectives.

According to him, it was projected to fill the inadequacies of prior erstwhile federal government intervention agencies for the Niger Delta region; such as the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) and the Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), set up to meet the infrastructural development of the area; two agencies are known to have been self-euthanized on the grounds of mismanagement, corruption, and political tussles.

He however noted that the NDDC presently trails a similar path as it has garnered notoriety for “underperformance and delivery of poorly executed projects” which have no direct or meaningful impact on the lives of the Niger Deltans.

According to him, “Successful organizations, government or private, achieve positive results only when members of the organization incorporate new policies and innovations into existing operations”.

He further opined that the Federal Government must present a new policy architecture to subsequently drive the commission. Such policy framework like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) recently passed by the National Assembly, is plausible since it gives host communities a set percentage from oil revenues for accelerated development, among others.

Mr. Omo-Idehen however noted that sensitive laws such as the PIB must be passed to reflect equity, viability, reason, and reality. While he commended members of the National Assembly for their hard work and courage in finally passing this bill, he cautioned them that the work was not quite complete yet.

He posited that the PIB has not done justice to oil communities, therefore a reconciliation and harmonization of both versions (that of the Senate and the House of Representatives), should be mandatorily and carefully done, with all objections voiced by the Niger Deltans, adequately addressed before a meticulously revised version can be forwarded to President Muhammadu Buhari for assent.

“In the fore of their objections, is the demand for an upward review of the equity sharing and its reversal to the initially proposed figure of 10%, from the passed figure of 3% and 5% respectively, which is proper. While the prescription of a disproportionate figure of 30% of NNPC profits to fund exploration activities in “frontier basins” be reduced to an acceptable 15%, and the accrued difference of 8% be added to the management funds of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to facilitate additional projects“, Omo-Idehen said further.

He noted that the Niger Delta region has been plagued by political and policy instability, lack of accountability and transparency, inadequate programs coordination, and poverty which has made the indigenes unable to attain a minimum standard of living, despite the magnitude of contribution its natural resources make to the overall benefit of the nation.

This he blamed on lack of targeting remedial actions to the poor; a defect that can be conveniently catered for by a higher percentage share of oil revenue in the PIB, as well as placing the right management in place at the NDDC for the proper administration of funds that would directly benefit the region.As part of the discussion of the panoramic compass for the NDDC, Mr. Omo-Idehen noted that the NDDC in its 20 years of existence has received over N1.4 trillion in funds (as of 2019), with little or nothing to show for it, which prompted its ongoing forensic audit.

He said, “The region is littered with numerous substandard projects, and the forensic auditors have uncovered over 12,128 abandoned projects, of which 1,082 are in Edo State alone, which confirms the allegation of corruption.Several of its projects he described as “visionless, pedestrian and poorly thought out”, and in many cases, actual oil-producing communities are ignored in the award of projects due to varying political interests.

He noted that as a result of its laughable projects, the Edo State Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in November 2020, ordered the NDDC contractors in the state to immediately stop further execution of projects

He expressed his dismay and gross displeasure over the poor quality of work being executed and delivered, and therefore sought to approach the courts for a stay order against the commission from further embarking on any projects without the consent of the State’s Executive council.

While commending Governor Obaseki for his action, Omo-Idehen in his recommendations, stated that key values critical for the operational success of the NDDC include its working hand in hand with the State Executive Council if any meaningful progress is genuinely desired by the commission.

He also suggested the institutionalization of accountability and transparency by the enabling laws of the NDDC in project execution, as it has become pertinent for Governments to maintain an open and public discourse with their citizens.

He also advocated community participation and inclusion of indigenes in the operations of the NDDC as a veritable means of meeting the cardinal needs of the region, by including their voices in planning and decision-making processes, as a valuable key to its future success.

The NDDC, according to him must be stopped from continuing on its present trajectory, noting that with a sincere political determination bereft of sentiments and corruption, the NDDC can and will go a long way in the execution and fulfillment of the master plan.

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Tension As Unknown Gunmen Kill Police Informant In Imo Community

Published

2 months ago

April 25, 2025

Editor

By Qosim Sulaiman

Palpable tension engulfed the residents of Nkwogwu community, Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State following the killing of an elderly man, Pa Albert Nwanchukwu, believed to be a police informant.

The assailants, numbering about eight, who reportedly stormed the home of the late Nwanchukwu at about 10pm on Tuesday, 22 April, 2025, were said to have met him where he was relaxing in his compound and immediately opened fire on him.

According to our source who pleaded anonymity, before his assassination, the late Nwanchukwu, had reportedly went to a police station in the locality to inform them of the activities of the gunmen, just as he pleaded to the police to get them arrested.

Our source disclosed that the late Nwanchukwu never knew that some policemen are accomplished in the act, adding that the policemen no doubt informed the gunmen who in anger came and killed him.

Our source narrated: “They were about eight in number. They came with different weapons – guns, machetes. They were all masked except their leader.

“It was late but the floodlight from the streetlight was bright. They drove dangerously and went straight to Mr Albert Uwandu Nwachukwu house. The man was relaxing in the front of his house. Immediately they saw him, they opened fire,” he died on the spot”, an eyewitness who saw the entire scene from the balcony of his house recounts.

Our source added: “Further investigations proved that the spy had informed this notorious gang of late Pa Nwachukwu’s visit to the police, thereby leading to the attack on his household.”

After killing the man, the gang reportedly went inside the house searching for other family members.

While it was evident that the gang intended to eviscerate the entire members of the family, three of his children – Victor Onyedikachi Nwachukwu, Promise Rita Nwachukwu Yakubu and Blessing Nzebechi Nwachukwu escaped.

“I saw the three of them. They ran through the back door. Since that time, we have not seen them again”, the same eye-witness disclosed to our correspondent.

This particular incident has thrown the entire community and Aboh Mbaise Local Government in general, into mourning.

While some questioned the safety of police informants, other believed the incident shows the rot in the police force of the country.

Expressing his disappointment in the police, the chairman of Aboh Mabise LGA; Honourable Barrister Iheukwumere Henry Alaribe vowed a major crackdown on the unknown gunmen.

The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma promised a total clampdown and return of sanity to the community.

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Protect Oil Palm Host Communities; Address Spate Of Kidnapping, Violence, Govt Told

Published

3 months ago

February 26, 2025

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

A non-profit organization – African Law Foundation (AFRILAW), has appealed to the government at levels to ensure the protection of oil palm host communities and address the spate of kidnapping and violence in such areas.

AFRILAW further urged the governments to ensure that communities’ rights and privileges are respected in land deals with oil palm companies to avoid human rights violations.

Okereke Chinwike Esq,
Founder and Chief Executive Officer, AFRILAW, made the appeal in Benin on Tuesday at the Public Presentation and launching of ‘The Community-based Report on Human Rights Violations in the Palm Oil Supply Chain in Edo State.’

INFO DAILY reports that the event is part of AFRILAW activities under the “Promoting Human Rights in Palm Oil Supply Chain in Nigeria Project,” being implemented by AFRILAW in partnership with Zero Tolerance Initiative (ZTI) and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) with funding support from True Cost Initiative (TCI) USA.

According to the AFRILAW founder, addressing companies’ human rights violations from their operations in host communities require evidence-based research, hence the research and report presentation.

“The Report we are presenting today documents evidence of community rights violations by major oil palm companies operating in the state. The research is informed by the increasing spate of violence and community protests against the operations of oil palm companies operating in Edo state, and provides greater understanding of the prevailing cases of community and human rights violations and nature of conflicts,” he noted.

He, therefore, urged the government to
“put in place a mandatory binding CSR laws and guidelines for companies to ensure that community rights and privileges are protected.”

He further appealed to the government to “ensure effective implementation of the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and set forth clear expectations for business enterprises regarding the importance of respecting the rights of human rights defenders, indigenous people and communities in Nigeria.”

On his part, Executive Secretary, National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu (SAN), described the report as essential, stressing that beyond normal advocacy, research-based advocacy is more efficient and effective.

Represented by Mrs Mary Okoh, Deputy Director, Legal/Focal Point Business and Human Rights, NHRC, Ojukwu said beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) organization should take seriously major issues of mainstreaming human rights into their operations.

“That means anyone who wants to set up a business must put into consideration the needs of the people and not what the organization or company needs. We have found out that this is where human rights violations start.

“Let them be part of the discussion and planning in the setting up of the business. Let them know what is at stake for them,” he said.

Goodwill messages were delivered by government agencies and ministries, while the presentation and launching also attracted security agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Customs Service, and the Nigeria Immigration Service among others.

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#EndBadGovernance: Police Manhunt Activists, Others, As Artist Cries Out For Help In Benin

Published

10 months ago

August 15, 2024

Editor

The suspect, Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa,

The Nigeria Police Force has launched a manhunt for suspected sponsors of the #EndBadGovernance in Nigeria protest that swept round the country last week.

Though police had arrested scores of such protesters across the country, many, especially vocal personalities and civil rights activists who have been criticising policies of the Tinubu administration in Nigeria have been penned down for arrest.

Also of interest to the police are those alleged to have massively produced and supplied Russian flags that were displayed during the protests, as they have vowed that none of the suspects would be spared.

It was gathered that undercover policemen are closing in on the social critics including one Osarenkhoe Destiny Oghosa, a vocal music artiste in Benin City.

This has raised fears and trepidation in that circle with many going underground for fear of being arrested by the police.

Oghosa is accused of masterminding an attempted jail break in the Benin metropolis similar to the End SARS protest in 2020, experience that resulted in the prison break and escape of prisoners and detainees alike.

Oghosa, in an interview with our correspondent, lamented that his music which focuses social justice, equality, societal ills among others in Nigeria, is now being as a crime.

He further lamented that despite several tactics to beat the security tab on him by agents of the government, he had faced persecution from invincible nocturnal groups.

Further lamenting how the government is hell bent in silencing voices speaking for the masses, Oghosa recalled how he was called at midnight to stop production of his song titled “OBI”, adding that he was seriously warned .

In a related development, Ahmed Bello, one of the suspect producers of the Russian flag hoist in some cities in Nigeria has been attested.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, disclosed this in Abuja on Monday at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press briefing.

He added that the police were on the trail of other suspects, especially the sponsors of the protest which led to the destruction of government properties in Kaduna and Kano States.

Adejobi said the suspects committed a treasonable felony, offence by waving a foreign country’s flag in Nigeria.

He said: “So, we need to set the record straight. It is important for us to know, so far so good we have been able to arrest some individuals who were engaging themselves in what I call a treasonable felony, while we are still going after their sponsors.

“To carry the flags of a foreign country in another country is a criminal offence. We have them arrested. Just this morning, we arrested one Ahmed Bello from Kano State fuor producing a large quantity of Russian flags given to young Nigerians to hoist for reasons best known to him.”

The police added that protesters in Benin City had made attempts to invade the DSS office in the state with the intention to free persons who in their opinion were being unjustly detained there-in forcing the law enforcement agencies to disperse them.