Deltans under the auspices of the Niger Delta Development Agenda have criticised the Senate leadership’s failure to assign slots on standing committees to senators from their state.
The NDDA stated that by calling for a review of the committees’ leadership, it will prevent needless agitations that might destabilise peace and order.
Addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Abuja, the convener of the group, Iteveh Nur’Ekpokpobe, and the co-convener, Karo Edor, while basing his argument on the South-South region said that out of the 74 committees, Cross River State received three, Rivers State received two, Akwa Ibom State received two, Edo State received one, and Delta State received 0.
The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated less than two months ago, with the Senate’s new leadership, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass.
Lamenting the situation, the organization said that the lack of allocation is a blow against the state’s progress and resolve, particularly in light of the state’s contributions to the overall economic growth of Nigeria.
“We don’t know why the Senate leadership decided to deny Delta State control over even one committee when other states have control over two or three,” said the statement.
“Considering the Crude oil derivation statistics of Niger Delta within the first four months of 2023 as published, we are yet to come to terms with how the Chairmanship of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission went to Cross River state that is technically not a shareholder.
Nur’Ekpokpobe continued by saying that the state is undeniably fortunate to have outstanding senators like Senators Ned Nwoko Delta North, Joel Onowakpo Delta South, and Ede Edafinone.
“We look forward to the kind and swift response of the senate leadership, to avert unnecessary agitators that may degenerate into the breakdown of law and order in the region.
“The Niger Delta Development Agenda hereby calls on the Senate President, Mr Godswill Akpabio as well as the leadership of the Senate to correct this mistake, the group stated.
