[dropcap]G[/dropcap]rassroots Newspaper Publishers Network has applauded President Muhammadu Buhari over his refusal to be swayed by the campaign of calumny and blackmail against members of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Arising from an emergency meeting in Asaba,the Delta State Capital yesterday, members of the Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network (GNPN) expressed satisfaction to the Presidential assent given for the extension of the tenure of the IMC, notice that it was a clear attestation of Mr President’s anti-corruption stance and the best decision for the Niger Delta Region so far.
The extension, the group notes, was received with joy by the generality of the Niger Delta Region. “It puts an end to the needless smear campaigns orchestrated by enemies of the region desperate for control of the Commission’s treasury, thereby selfishly pushing for the board’s dissolution.”
The group also lauds the approval of President Buhari for the NDDC to provide intervention support to complement the efforts of the Federal and State governments against further spread of COVID-19 in the nine States of the Niger Delta region, in the sum of Six Billion, Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N6,250,000,000.00) only, describing it as timely, especially with the growing number of cases of the pandemic virus recorded recently within the Region and Nigeria.
The Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network (GNPN) led by the National President,Chief Duke Okireka,however warned those selfish leaders involved in the recent alleged blackmail and wicked campaign of calumny against the IMC by sponsoring unwarranted attacks against the IMC to desist from such acts or they will be forced to expose such leaders behind the mask.
“With the Presidential approval given in line with constitutional back up as enshrined in Sections 42(b) (c) and 43 of the Public Procurement Act, 2007, it becomes imperative to note that the perpetrators of that smear campaign and evil allegation were only intentioned on bringing the commission and government down, we urge the enemies of the Region to have a rethink and join the good people of the Niger Delta Region to give their support to the team of the IMC so as to get a result oriented forensic audit as ordered by the President.”
The statement also commended Senator Godswill Akpabio’s resolve and diligence in working out the directives of the President. “We also want to identify the efforts made by the Honorable Minister of Niger-Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio for his painstaking support for the IMC aimed at sanitizing the NDDC.
we commend him for standing strong in the face of libelous articles and character assassinating publications from the earlier identified anti-progressive tendencies.”
Grassroots Newspaper Publishers Network (GNPN) also expressed it’s confidence and support for the IMC team led by the Acting MD, Prof Pondei; EDP, Dr Ojuogboh, Chief Etang, Mrs Nagbo and Mrs Cecilia. “In conclusion we reemphasize that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration has the support of the entire Niger Delta Region as we progress in the Next Level agenda.” They stressed.