The new Executive Director, Finance and Administration, EDFA, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Maxwell Oko has been charged to be wary of fraudsters who are bent on destroying the commission.
The founding chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers, King W.S. Igbugburu said he was confident that Oko would deliver, if he refuses to be hoodwinked by fraudsters whom he said, were killing the commission.
Igbugburu, who was full of praises for the president, Muhammadu Buhari for identifying Oko for the appointment said having known him during his days as commissioner in Bayelsa, counselled to maintain his integrity and good name throughout the period of his service in the commission.
This is coming even as the president of Ijaw Youths Council, Pereotubo Oweilaemi has challenged Oko not to disappoint those who believe in his forthrightness and ability to effect changes in the NDDC.
In separate interviews with journalists on Sunday, Igbugburu and Oweilaemi said with Oko’s appointment, there was hope that funds meant for the development of the Niger Delta and warehoused in the NDDC would henceforth be judiciously managed.
The IYC president said “Comrade Maxwell Oko’s appointment as Executive Director of Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta development Commission is a square peg in a square hole and is well deserved. You know that Comrade Oko is a founding member of the Ijaw Youths Council who is passionate about the development of the region.
“He was chairman of IYC central zone. He has held several other political offices including commissioner of power and energy in Bayelsa State under Chief Timipre Sylva as governor. He also worked with the then petroleum minister, king Daukoru. Maxwell is experienced and he is a man of the youths.
“We are very certain that he will use his office to redirect the vision of the creation of the commission and bring about desired peace and the long awaited development to the region. I congratulate him on behalf of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) worldwide.
“Our agenda for him is that he should use his position to address the issues IYC has been canvassing for. As a former chairman, IYC central zone, of course he will not expect us to remind him that the Ijaw nation needs an even development from the NDDC. He should ensure that all ongoing projects in Ijaw land are completely executed.
“The Commission should also initiate youth empowerment programmes in order to engage our teaming jobless youths across the region.The purpose for which the commission was established has not been successfully utilised. The developmental response by the commission towards the region is still below expectation.
“Now that we have a former national executive member of the IYC on the board of the NDDC, we are very certain that most of our demands will be achieved. All we care for is that let the commission adequately respond to the developmental needs of the region which should be commensurate to its budgetary provisions.
“I think for Buhari to make the choice of Maxwell Oko in the new NDDC Board means he has listened to our yearnings and aspirations. I think this is a test case to the Maxwell to show that he has concern for his people which is glaringly the reason why Buhari considered him. Mr. President must have noticed that someone having the spirit of our struggle will know our concerns more than others. The bug now ends on Oko’s table to prove Buhari’s sincerity to the Ijaw people.”
On his part, Igbugburu lamented that the NDDC had been turned to a family affair in the recent past, while development projects suffered in various forms. He said he had known Oko to be very hard working and straightforward, right from his days as an IYC activist.
The royal father prayed him to apply wisdom in the handling of all issues, especially in dealing with those who may think that i would be business as usual.
