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The Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-iweala, on Saturday charged the Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC) to find eternal solutions for socio-economic challenges in the region.
The former Minister of Finance made a call at an event that marked the 25th anniversary of NDDC at Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He urged the interventionist agent to pay special attention to the development of the Delta Niger economy.
“Let me congratulate NDDC for the work that has been done for people in Delta Niger,” said Okonjo-iweala.
“If I am a little critical in my speech, you know me, I mean forever, because I think you have done many things, but you still have many things to do.
“NDDC was founded in 2000 by former President of Obasanjo, as the successor to Umpadek, who has been operating since the time of the military government. This is a response to the screams of marginalization and retardation by the Delta Niger people, where Nigerian oil and gas resources are concentrated.
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“Oil and gas exploration, basically, often causes challenges to the environment in the form of soil and water pollution. Gas combustion is another danger that must be faced by people in the environment.
“These challenges are supported by the government with NDDC arrangements.
“You, NDDC, can’t fail.
“As you know well, oil and gas accounted for 90 percent of Nigerian foreign exchange, and 70 percent of fiscal income, which is why it is considered as the blood of economic life. People in the region must be done so they can feel their concerns being handled.
“Golden -laying goose deserves attention in the form of infrastructure and social services to ensure that there is peace in the area, so that it can continue to contribute optimally to the country’s economy.”
