1 September 2019
A conglomeration of civil society groups in Cross River and Nigeria have distanced themselves from the disposition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance (CSGGG) led by Comrade Dominic Ogakwu who, Wednesday, faulted the constitution of the new NDDC board of directors on the premise of procedural cracks.
The youth, and women groups further endorsed the nomination and subsequent appointments of the Cross River representative on the board Sir Maurice Effiwatt. This is contained in a resolution made available to our newsroom. For them, the procedure of appointment is in order.
In a 'Resolution at an Emergency Meeting of Leaders of Concern Youth and Women Groups in Cross River on the Board of NDDC as Currently Composed; our stand' it said 'We wish to very strongly state in clear terms without any equivocation our total support to our newly appointed commissioner representing Cross River state in the person of the indefatigable Sir Maurice Effiwatt and by extension also specially congratulate others who have been nominated by our Dear President His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR.
'We distance ourselves from the recent submissions and objections by some stakeholders in the Niger Delta region ie south south, particular the view of CSGGG by her leader Dominic Ogakwu, their argument amongst others that the procedure employed for the dissolution and appointment of the new board lies in bad taste and not being consulted etc.
'We make bold to say that we don't share in these views and sentiments, the appointments as composed is apt and in order, suffice to say that the procedural processes in the constitution of the board of Niger Delta Development commission is not cast in stone and so can be upturned by the highest public office holder in the country. We pledge our loyalty to the president of the Federal republic and our believe in the newly inaugurated ministers of Niger Delta ministry.
'We are Comrade Ekpenyong Akiba Executive Director/Convener/Leader Youth Alliance in Cross River, Prince Clement Etim Asanya Snr. Coordinator Buhari youth organization CRS, Hon.Vivian Umo Edem President Women in Focus CRS, Elder Abednego Okon, chairman Southern Cross River Youth Liberation, Edem Bassey, Leader G7, Asuquo Nyong Etim, chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria Bakassi Local Government.'