NASS: CSOG Kicks Against Appointment Of Muhu, Others As NDDC Committee Chairmen

By Chibuzor Emejor,

Abuja

Barring any unforeseen circumstance, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisation Groups (CSOG) is set to storm the National Assembly today, Tuesday October 6, 2015, to protest against the plan to retain Senator James Manager and Hon. Nicholas Mutu in the chairmanship positions of the Niger Delta Development Commission in the National Assembly.

The group will be protesting to warn the leadership of both chambers against bowing to pressure from both legislators who are already lobbying to retain their chairmanship positions, saying they have held the positions for the past 12 years and should not be allowed to perpetuate themselves in the Committee.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, the President of the group, Comrade Etuk Bassey Williams, said both legislators are from the same local government, federal constituency and the same senatorial district and have both occupied the position for the past 12 years.

He alleged that both legislators have been enhancing and encouraging corruption in the Commission as their companies get most of the contracts by virtue of their positions.

According to Williams, “The two legislators have turned themselves into legislative contractors.

“They have aided corruption in NDDC which is also contained in the Auditor- General’s recent report which indicted the management of NDDC.

“The people in their constituency have not benefited from their 12 years of legislative practice.

“Not even a single borehole has been sunk in their immediate constituency, no education centre, no health care system and no good roads in the face of billions of naira contracts received from NDDC, this has hindered them from carrying out their constitutional function against the Commission.

“We urge the leadership of the both chambers in the National Assembly to reject any pressure from Senator James Manager and Hon. Nicolas Mutu to return their chairmanship positions because it is not their birth right,” he said.

Williams said the leadership of both chambers should make their position known on the issue before then, saying the Coalition will not relent until its demand is accorded proper attention.

He urged the legislators to declare their assets, while calling on the EFCC to immediately commence prosecution of these two legislative contractors because of their huge involvement in corrupt practices in NDDC.

“Failure to declare their assets publicly before seven days, we all shall occupy the National Assembly,” he warned.