Hundreds of youths on Thursday barricaded the ever-busy East-West Road at the Agbarho end in Delta State, in protest against the appointment of a sole administrator for the Niger Delta Development Commission by the Federal Government.
The youths demanded an immediate appointment of a substantive board for the commission.
They gave a 20-day ultimatum to the Presidency to appoint a substantive board for the NDDC.
The appointment of the sole administrator followed the sack of the former interim management board of the commission, after a long-drawn probe bothering on impropriety and allegations of corruption.
Motorists plying the route that day faced challenges as a result of a gridlock caused by the blockade.
Protesting under the auspices of Urhobo Youths Leaders Council (UYLC)’, they carried placards with inscriptions such as ‘Urhobo youths are angry,’ ‘President Buhari, obey the NDDC Act by appointing a substantive board,’ and ‘Urhobo youths are in support of the forensic audit, but appoint a board for the commission,’ among others.
Coordinator of the group, Lucky Emonefe, asked President Muhammadu Buhari to bring to book those implicated in the audit of the commission undertaken on the government’s directives.
“Those, who are corrupt, must face the consequences of their actions. But the President should obey the law, especially Section 2 establishing the NDDC by inaugurating a substantive board.
“As youths of Niger Delta, we reject the sole administrator appointed by Mr President. We are not interested in who is on the Board. But what we want is that Delta State representatives, Ondo State representative and Bayelsa State representative should be there. Not that only one man from Akwa-Ibom should oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta.”
Emonefe said the youth planned to mobilise massively to the Villa to press home their demand.
“We are giving the Federal Government a 21-day ultimatum, if they refuse to obey us, we are going to the Villa,” he added.
