The Nigerian Senate has been called upon to accord cross River State a special consideration in the distribution and allocation of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Projects in the region.
Making the call when a delegation of the Senate Committee on NDDC led by the Chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi paid him a courtesy visit in Government House in Calabar today, Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River stated that the state is heavily marginalized in the scheme of things including the distribution of projects in the region.
Governor Ayade who was represented by his Deputy Professor Ivara Ejemot Esu explained that Cross River is the most disadvantaged State among NDDC states in the areas of construction and maintenance of Federal Roads, as well as other infrastructural provisions, reasoning that this neglect has imparted negatively on the socio-economic life of the people of the state and other Nigerians living in Cross River.
He reiterated the fact that the State does not receive anything from the Federal Government by way of oil derivation revenue and so deserved special attention by the Senate committee in their considerations.
Governor Ayade commended the commitment and unity of purpose exhibited by the 8th Senate and express the hope that the Committee will do a good job in the performance of its oversight function.
Senator Ayade also expressed profound appreciation to the sitting Managing Director of NDDC for reviving all the abandoned projects of the NDDC in the State.
Ayade emphasized the need for the Senate to also consider “The Bakassi Strike Force” in the amnesty programme and that they have been neglected from the scheme of things, stating that putting them into consideration will help stem restiveness and security challenges in the State.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC Senator Peter Nwaoboshi said the purpose of the visit was to carry out their oversight function of ensuring that they go to all the NDDC States/ the region to ascertain the level of work done on the NDDC Projects.
According to him the Committee is also to investigate the activities of the Amnesty Programme with a view to bringing to book those found to have misappropriated funds meant for the programme.