CALABAR – The Niger Delta Activists Discussion board (NDAF) has publicly declared Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong persona non grata, accusing him of interfering with the Niger Delta Growth Fee (NDDC) board’s operations and diverting ₦100 million in social safety funds meant for Cross River State youths.
In line with the discussion board’s assertion, the ₦100 million fund—initially earmarked for the acquisition of 1,000 luggage of rice at ₦100,000 per bag—was monetised by the NDDC board to keep away from extra logistics prices. Nonetheless, the disbursement course of, which originated from the workplace of the Particular Assistant to the Managing Director on Youth Affairs, resulted within the funds being credited to Senator Ekpenyong’s account.
The senator, who additionally Chairs the Senate Committee on the NDDC, is accused of overstepping his function by partaking in features reserved for NDDC operational employees.
In an in depth public intervention, NDAF clarified that:
The NDDC board had authorized the general scheme and funds with out specifying particular person recipients.
Opposite to deceptive stories, no rice was distributed; as an alternative, the scheme was monetised.
State representatives are charged with coordinating the fund’s execution and making certain accountability.
Senator Ekpenyong, not being a employees member or appointee of the NDDC, has no official operational function and may restrict his involvement to legislative duties.
Questions stay concerning the choice technique of 10,000 youths for the ₦50,000 month-to-month empowerment scheme introduced by the Presidency.
The discussion board’s assertion additionally famous that preliminary accusations had been misdirected towards Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the board member representing Cross River State, however subsequent clarifications shifted the main focus to Senator Ekpenyong’s function within the course of.
The NDAF management condemned a press release issued by the NDDC—signed by Seledi Thompson Wakama—as “shameful” and “logically incoherent,” alleging that it contained blatant falsehoods concerning the fund’s disbursement.
In a stern warning to each the senator and the NDDC, the discussion board declared that if their considerations usually are not addressed by Friday, February 14, they are going to escalate their protest. The deliberate motion consists of staging a mass protest and shutting down the NDDC Calabar workplace, with potential for related actions throughout different Niger Delta states till “justice is served.”
The assertion, signed by prime NDAF officers together with Nationwide President Comrade Success Jack, Nationwide Youth Chief Comrade Bernard Okori, Cross River State Chairman Comrade Paul Ajie, State Secretary Comrade Ogar Emmanuel Oko, and Director of Mobilisation Comrade Chris Edadi, has been forwarded to key stakeholders. These embrace the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command; the Director of the Division of State Companies (DSS) in Cross River State; and the NDDC management in each Port Harcourt and Cross River State.
The Niger Delta Activists Discussion board insists that each the Govt Governor of Cross River State and its advisory council members be totally consulted concerning the upcoming disbursement beneath the youth empowerment scheme. With accusations of mismanagement and diversion of funds circulating, the discussion board’s daring transfer underscores rising tensions over transparency and accountability within the administration of public sources destined for youth growth.
As occasions unfold, all eyes stay on the response from Senator Ekpenyong, who has refused to take calls or reply to messages since being accused over 2 weeks in the past, and the NDDC, in addition to the potential impression of the deliberate protests on regional stability.
Efforts to achieve the Senator on the Telephone on Monday, February 10, and Tuesday, February 11, proved abortive as his cellphone line didn’t join on a number of events.
