IYC: NDDC headquarters shut down by protesters over board composition

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

The Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has led a protest at the Corporate Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in Port Harcourt, leading to its shut down over the failure of the Federal Government to constitute a substantive board for the commission.

This was happening as the President, IYC, Worldwide, Peter Igbifa, regained freedom from his abductors.

The protest halted all activities at the Headquarters and stalled human and vehicular movements in the area.

The Assistant Secretary, IYC, Eastern Zone, Ibiso Harry, revealed to the Vanguard that the protest was directed by the IYC President, Peter Igbifa, following the expiration of the deadline given to the FG to constitute a substantive board of the NDDC.

He said: “We are here under the directive of the IYC President to shut the NDDC complex after the expiration given to the Federal Government to constitute a substantive NDDC board expired yesterday (Wednesday).

“We believe that instead of an Interim Management or caretake committee a well-constituted board will be better placed to address the underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region.”

However, Igbifa expressed regrets over the attitude of some members of his executive committee, led by the Spokesperson of the IYC, Ebilade Ekerefe, for holding a meeting with the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.