The Unwavering Synergy Between Bayelsa State Government and NDDC Management: The Need for Bayelsans to Promote Unity and Harmonious Relationship Among Leaders
The history of interventionist agencies in the Niger Delta region dates back to the First Republic, after the brilliant and excellent presentation that was made by our great leader and father, High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye at the Lancaster House during the Pre-Independence London Conferences.
Dappa-Biriye who was selected as the representative of minority tribes and groups in the old Eastern region during one of the Conferences, raised issue about the difficult terrain of the geographic Niger Delta. He also talked about marginalization of minorities and other issues and concluded that the minorities were not disposed to joining the political creation that the British imperialists and colonialists called “Nigeria”.
The fear and great concern that the minorities raised, led to the constitution of the Sir Henry Willinks Commission in 1957. After rigorous exercise, the Commission in their Report recommended the designation of the Niger Delta Area as a Special Area that need Special Development. It was that same report that designated the Ijaw Nation as the fourth largest tribe in Nigeria.
The report led to the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) in 1961, which was later changed to Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA) on 3rd August, 1996 but before the change, the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) had already been established, before the establishment of the present Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration in 2000.
At the inception of our contemporary democracy in 1999 and the consequent establishment of NDDC in 2000, successive managements of NDDC and administrations in Bayelsa state have never enjoyed cordial relationship, the way and manner we are seeing today where there is a strong Synergy and Collaboration between the NDDC and the ASSURED PROSPERITY Administration.
Before now, it was almost a tradition where those who are apppointed into the leadership of NDDC always see and also operate as a defacto government to the state government. The above led to unimaginable crisis, abandonment of projects and so much crisis.
We witnessed the fight between Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, the pioneer Executive Governor of Bayelsa state and Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, the then Acting Managing Director of NDDC. The government of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan inherited the DSP Alamieyeseigha and Chief Timi Alaibe political crisis and it resulted in some compromises in the areas of appointment and ceding of some House of Assembly and National Assembly Seats to Chief Alaibe.
The administrations of Chief Timipre Sylva and that of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson experienced same. At a point, Sylva had to remove Hon. Tony Orubo and replaced him with his brother Hon. Eddy Orubo and so many others. All because of Supremacy Battle between the Bayelsa State Government and the Leadership of NDDC.
The above battles had unquantifiable negative consequences and impacts on the state. The worst of all was the stalling and abandonment of many projects. Today, Bayelsa state has an inglorious and infamous record as the state with the highest numbet of abandoned NDDC projects.
Findings revealed that most of those crisis were induced and instigated by followers, loyalists, contractors and others for obvious reasons including their quest for pecuniary gains. It is a common knowledge that most crisis Merchants and war mongers benefit and make so much fortunates when there is division and disunity between leaders. While others create issues that can serve as excuses to abandon projects after collecting payments.
But the above are all in the past. Today, His Excellency Very Distinguished Senator Douye Diri and his younger brother Chief Samuel Ogbuku Ph.D my elder brother, have very strong bond of unity. They are very close friends that money or power cannot separate.
The above is a contributory factor to the existing Synergy between the ASSURED PROSPERITY Administration of Gov. Douye Diri and the Management of NDDC under the stewardship of my elder brother Chief Samuel Ogbuku Ph.D.
In the past, NDDC site and locate projects indiscriminately without recourse to the Bayelsa State Government which resulted to so many issues.
The Land Use Act of 1978, vest all Lands in the country on State Governors. This is the main reason why the President of the country is a Tenant in the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, is the Landlord. Today, the President as the Number 1 Citizen in the country and also the one that appoints the FCT Minister cannot order the location of any Federal Government Project or build his personal house in FCT Abuja without the express Approval of the Minister. The above is a Constitutional issue, thus is beyond the issue of primordial and parochial sentiments.
Over the years, we have witnessed duplication of projects. There are times that state government, local government and NDDC site and execute the same or similar projects in the same location. There are many cases where NDDC Solar Lights and those of State Government stand side by side.
There are other cases where the people may be in need of something, while NDDC spend far higher amounts of money to provide things that are important, but are not actually the immediate need of the people.
A good example is the issue of Solar Light. Both the Bayelsa State Government and NDDC are installing Solar Lights in the streets of Yenagoa and our towns and villages which is very commendable and highly appreciated.
However, with proper arrangement, NDDC would have been building SOLAR FARMS in our towns and villages. Today, while we have Lights in our streets (outside), there is no light in our houses. But if SOLAR FARMS are built, our houses shall have electricity and we will also power our streets. The above is the power cum importance of Synergy and Collaborations between and among government institutions.
The Bayelsa State Government and NDDC are playing complementing roles. They are not in any Supremacy Battle that will bring the issue of Envy and Jealousy that some low minds, retrogressive, divisive, destructive and distractive elements are talking about and promoting because of their selfish interests.
Bayelsa State is presently experiencing unprecedented peace, security and unity because of the positive body language of the Governor. This is the first time in the history of our contemporary democracy that there are no pronounced or visible political opponents and enemies in the state. All Bayelsans are working collectively for the Peace, Security, Unity, Growth and Development of our great state. This is also the first time that we are not seeing any form of discrimination or segregation against any section or segment of the state. The above applies to location of projects. Our Miracle and Prosperity Governor is giving all sections and segments in the state high sense of belonging.
Moving forward, it is pertinent for followers to jettison or deemphasize promotion of divisive tendencies. Rather, there is need to encourage and also promote cordial working relationship between our great leaders irrespective of political party affiliations.
Finally, we need to learn how to commend, appreciate and celebrate our leaders knowing that the above will always spur them to do more.
~~~ Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Technical Adviser to Gov. Douye Diri on Print Media (Public Affairs)
