NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISER PROPOSES NON KINETIC APPROACH TO TACKLING NIGER DELTA SECURITY ISSUES, AS NDDC HOLDS STAKEHOLDERS SUMMIT
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu says Federal Government is designing a non kinetic approach to security challenges in Niger Delta region.
Mallam Ribadu who made this known at pre-summit technical session of “Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit” organized by Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in Port Harcourt Rivers State, asserted that there is a nexus between security and development.
The Niger Delta stakeholders summit was put up by Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, as a platform to bring together all stakeholders in the region to chart a new course for the development of the region in line with the stakeholders engagement of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking on Security and Development of Niger Delta Region, the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, who observed that insecurity in the Niger Delta region was traceable to oil exploration and environmental issues, admitted that peace in the Niger Delta region would pave way for increased oil production and economic growth.
Represented by Special Adviser on Energy Security and Niger Delta, Osareti Ihuoma, Mallam Ribadu assured the people that the Federal Government was putting together a security policy that would explore new approaches that would speak to the minds and hearts of the people.
In a welcome address, Chairman of the Board of NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who told participants that the Summit was put together to chart a new course for the development of Niger Delta commission, stated that the aim of continuous dialogue with stakeholders was to have a common goal that would stimulate economic growth in the region.
He called on participants to contribute their views that will be of great benefit to the people of the region.
Making a presentation on the state of Niger Delta Region, Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku explained that the Summit was not about NDDC, but to bring together all the key players in Niger Delta region to have their views on the development of the region.
The MD who Stated that the commission would unveil Ambulances and make them available to different states in case of any health emergency, expressed readiness of the commission to partner governors, Federal agencies, International Oil companies to take development to rural communities.
On his part, one of the founding fathers of NDDC, professor Jasper Jumbo, who called for the release of funds accruing NDDC, also suggested that three percent of value added tax, VAT collections from the region should be channelled to Niger Delta Development Commission to increase their funding.
Making his own contribution, National Chairman of Pan Niger Delta Forum PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Essien who called for review of NDDC ACT, emphasized the need to exclude NDDC from Single Treasury Account to enable it function optimally.
There were other presentations from IYC and women groups.
