Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku have decided to pay 10,000 Niger Delta youths N50,000 monthly.
Calling on the youth and residents of the Niger Delta to avoid participating in the planned August 1 protest against economic hardship.
The call for restraint follows the recent launch of a Youth Internship Scheme by Akpabio, aimed at engaging 10,000 youths from the Niger Delta. This initiative, introduced by the NDDC, is designed to enhance the skills of local youth, with participants in the first phase receiving a monthly stipend of N50,000.
During the NDDC Executive Management Engagement with Niger Delta Ethnic Nationalities and Selected Stakeholders in Port Harcourt, Akpabio declared the region a “protest-free zone,” stating that the planned nationwide protests would not occur in the Niger Delta’s nine states.
Highlighting the significance of the Youth Internship Scheme, Akpabio emphasized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to the region’s development. He mentioned that, following a presidential directive, the NDDC has recently inaugurated five major projects, including roads, bridges, and electrical infrastructure throughout the region.
ALSO READ: Inflation: FG suspends import duties, taxes on essential food items
Akpabio also praised the NDDC for repairing sections of the East-West Road and confirmed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project would commence simultaneously from Lagos and the Niger Delta.
Despite ongoing challenges, Akpabio assured that the NDDC had successfully implemented projects improving the lives of the local population and pledged that the Commission would receive its full statutory allocations moving forward.
NDDC Governing Board Chairman Mr. Chiedu Ebie reiterated the Commission’s commitment to completing capital projects that benefit the Niger Delta. He expressed gratitude to the National Assembly for swiftly passing the 2024 budget, which will support the Commission’s development initiatives.
Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, NDDC Managing Director, noted a shift from militant agitation to intellectual pursuits in the region. He highlighted the success of Project HOPE, which has created a digital repository of Niger Delta youths’ qualifications, skills, and employment statuses, aiding in their development.
Ogbuku announced that the NDDC is collaborating with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to train youths and support Small and Medium Enterprises. Additionally, partnerships with the Bank of Industry will facilitate business funding and empowerment programs.
He urged Niger Deltans to avoid protests that could destabilize the country and impede development, ultimately harming ordinary citizens.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu emphasized the importance of unity and peace for progress and commended the NDDC’s efforts in regional development. PANDEF National Chairman Senator Emmanuel Ibokessien also praised the NDDC’s achievements and urged youths to ignore protest calls.
Ijaw Youth Council President Jonathan Lopkobiri dismissed the protest organizers, noting their demands failed to address the long-standing issues with the East-West Road. He commended the NDDC for its efforts to alleviate road users’ difficulties, despite ongoing flooding threats.