Towards success of NDDC Forensic Audit, Buhari, Akpabio need support of Nigerians – Bishop Etukudoh

*Says Joi Nunieh sponsored by enemies of Niger Delta

For the ongoing Forensic Audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to succeed, President Muhammadu Buhari, who ordered the audit and Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who supervises it need to be cooperated with and supported by all Nigerians.

This was coming as efforts and missions by both the President and his minister to reposition the NDDC for optimal service delivery to the deprieved people of Niger Delta region of the country had been viewed as uncommon passion that would reshape the future of the region and her people for good.

It will also increase trust in the corruption fight of President Buhari’s administration and recovery of funds of the Commission carted away by dubious contractors, staffs and appointees of government.

These standpoints were made known, weekend by Bishop James Etukudoh, former Transition Committee Chairman, Eket Local Government and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Akwa Ibom State.

Bishop James Etukudoh said the path of recovery of monies and assets in the region embarked by President Muhammadu Buhari, as seen in the ordered Forensic Audit of NDDC, would lead to massive identification of rots and recoveries in the Niger Delta Development Commission, saying President Buhari should be encouraged and commended by all Nigerians.

The APC chieftain lauded Senator Godswill Akpabio, Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, for his sincere developmental plans for all the states in the Niger Delta region.

“When Senator Godswill Akpabio was the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, I worked under him as the Chairman, Eket Local Government Transition Committee. I know him to be a man of excellence and with deep passion for infrastructural renaissance. Performances marks he left behind in Akwa Ibom State are there for all to see.”

“In Nigeria today, the stadium he built has been approved by FIFA for international football matches. It generates revenue to the state and boost tourism status of Akwa Ibom State amongst numerous projects initiated and completed by him. He is an Uncommon Man.”

Bishop Etukudoh believed that with Senator Godswill Akpabio as the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, the region would witnessed unprecedented development, empowerment of women and youths, promotion of self-reliance and human capital development.

Etukudoh, former Eket council boss urged all stakeholders in the nine states of the Niger Delta to support Senator Godswill Akpabio as doing so would help in changing the region for good.

“The pull him down syndrome at all costs by the enemies of the development and progress of Niger Delta should be discouraged. If there is one person I know who can bring the desired change to all Niger Deltans and facilitate speedy growth, the person is Senator Godswill Akpabio.”

“President Muhammadu Buhari needs to see to the end of the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Those with the funds of the region must coughed them out as there are no development in the region after so much money has been released by the Federal Government for the development of the states in the region”, he said.

He decried the intentional looting of funds in the Commission since her creation and urged President Buhari to call those responsible for the setbacks experienced in Niger Delta to account for all the monies, without fear or favour even if they are members of the ruling party in the country.

On the recent attack on the person of the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio by the sacked former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Ms Joi Nunieh, Bishop James Etukudoh described the act as desperation taken too far and sponsored work by the looters of the region.

“Senator Akpabio I know cannot harassed any woman. He appointed several women as Commissioners, Board chairpersons, members of Commissions and Agencies in the state. Recommended many for appointments in Federal Agencies and some became Ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. At a time, the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State was a woman. There was no story of harassment anywhere. Thank God, Nigerians did not take Ms Joi Nunieh serious.”

“Joi Nunieh was desperate and she easily allowed herself to be used by criminal elements in the country who are against the growth of Niger Delta region but forgetting that Nigerians are quick to identified falsehood.”

Etukudoh called on the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to site projects in Eket Senatorlal District, saying the senatorial district lacked Federal Government presence despite contributing to the huge allocation accrued to the Federal Government and Akwa Ibom State.

He called on the Federal Government to resuscitate Aluminum Smelting Company in Ikot Abasi, open and upgrade Federal Technical College in Ibeno, construction of bridge from Oron to Calabar, commence ship ferrying services from Oron to Cameroun and completion of the Eket section of the East/West Road.

Bishop Etukudoh, also sympathized with President Buhari, Senator Godswill Akpabio, stakeholders and members of All Progressives Congress (APC) Akwa Ibom State on the sudden demise of the State Chairman of the Party, Mr. Ini Okopido.

He described Mr. Okopido as a great and loyal party leader who steered the ship of the party with commitment and dedication. He urged the family of the deceased to be consoled and prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed APC State Chairman.