Kalu tasks NDDC to extend developmental projects to Abia community

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, has tasked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure the even spread of developmental projects to the Ukwa community in Abia State.

He further said that the nine states making up the NDDC should not be neglected

Kalu said this during an interactive session with the delegation from Ukwa People’s Consultative Council led by its President General, Don Ubani, in Abuja

The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo, and Rivers.

Kalu expressed worry over the concerns raised by the delegation about the “undue marginalisation of Ukwa as an oil-producing Community”.

He said there was a need to ensure an equal spread of intervention projects by the NDDC across the nine states.

According to him, the area is known for oil production, and the status of Abia State as a member of the NDDC came as a result of its ability to produce oil and gas from Ukwa.

“Interestingly, some of the things you mentioned have been my concerns in the 9th Assembly in regards to the spread of intervention programmes of the NDDC across the nine states.

He said this led to the first visit of the acting MD, who toured Abia, Imo, and other states.

Kalu said he insisted that the tour was necessary to have a proper update on their presence in various parts of the states.

This, according to him, is to be able to establish whether or not the report they see on paper is the same thing on the ground.

“I totally agree with you that what we have in Abia, as an oil-producing state and as a member of the NDDC, comparatively speaking, is below average in terms of developmental interventions.

“A call from the stakeholders that an improvement should take place is definitely not the wrong call.

The deputy Speaker commended the leadership of the Ukwa community for holding their youth in spite of the fact that the development interventions were below average.

He said they kept their heads down and allowed all the IOCs to handle their operations peacefully in those communities.

Earlier, Ubani, who led the delegation, solicited the support of the House leadership towards ensuring equity and fair distribution of developmental projects to the Ukwa community.

He said a time had existed in this system where the entire South East was shut-out, but under the present administration, at least the people have been given a sense of belonging

He said farmers in the Ukwa federal constituency could not farm effectively because the fertility of the soil had been diminished due to oil exploration and exploitation.

“Let there be manifestations of concern on the part of NDDC. Nothing so far has given us reason to be happy as an oil-producing area.

“We need to avoid situations that will create youth restiveness, and the best way to do it is to make sure that there’s development,” he said.