Ise-Oluwa Ige
12 May 2008
Lagos — The Concerned Citizens of Niger Delta (CCND) yesterday condemned the threat by a women group to walk the streets of Port Harcourt naked should government fail to probe the financial activities of NDDC.
The women group known as Patriotic Niger Delta Mothers (PNDM.) had issued a 30-day ultimatum on the Federal Government for the probe of the financial activities of the Niger Delta Developmen0t Commission (NDDC).
The ultimatum is about to expire but the CCND yesterday dismissed it as sheer blackmail and a distraction.
CCND also dismissed the women group as "an amorphous body of greedy, selfish, self - seeking and unpatriotic individuals,' even as its threw its weight behind the NDDC leadership.
In a statement signed by the group's Chairman and Secretarty, Bright Ojubuiyi and Dickson Orji respectively, they urged the women group known as Patriotic Niger Delta Mothers to channel their energy and resources towards persuading the Federal Government to release the over N400 billion it is owing the NDDC as counterpart funding for developmental projects in the region.
"Are these mothers not aware that the youths of the region have taken the bull by the horn by taking the Federal Government to court in the most civilised way in order to have the money it is owing the NDDC as counterpart funding for developmental projects in the region released?
The case will be coming up again on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at Abuja.
And if truly your interest is to fight for this region, the court premises in Abuja should serve as a better venue for your group to dance naked in practical demonstration of your genuine love and sincere concern for our people as you claim", the statement reads.
The group also accused the Federal Government of double standard to the detriment of the Niger Delta region, citing its (FG's) refusal to fund OMPADEC, but lavishly funded the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF).
They urged government to shed the garb of double standard and release the N400 Billion naira meant for NDDC just as it has "hurriedly released Lagos State Local Government funds."
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