The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has described President Bola Tinubu as a caring leader who has the interest of the people at heart.
He stated this when the NDDC visited the Sangana community in the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the recent ocean surge that devastated the area, on Saturday.
The NDDC boss said the president had directed quick intervention in the ecological disaster, which is described as one of the worst environmental problems in the region.
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Ogbuku, who was accompanied by relevant officials of the commission, including the Director of Project, Victor Antai, donated relief materials for the immediate needs of the people who were displaced by the ocean surge in the Sangana community.
He said that Tinubu was happy with the people of the community because of its economic importance and the sustained peace over the years, which created the enabling environment for oil exploration and exploitation activities.
He told the people of the community that he felt elated at the presidential directive which indicated that the country has a very responsible president who is interested in the welfare of the people.
Ogbuku said, “Before your letter of appeal arrived our head office in Port Harcourt, the ocean surge in Sagana was already publicized in the media, The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saw it and directed that we must come and see what is happening in Sagana and give him feedback.
“My presence in your community, apart from being a son of the soil, is in response to Mr. President’s directive and having witnessed first-hand the devastation in your community, we will proceed immediately to see how we can salvage the situation.”
While urging the people of Sagana to continue to maintain the peace so as to attract development, he stated that development could only take place in a peaceful community and assured them that the NDDC would use the best modern technology to tackle the erosion scourge in the area.
He called on the multinational oil companies operating in area to join hands in addressing the perennial ocean surge in the communities around the area as NDDC would not do it alone.
Ogbuku further said, “We had earlier awarded the contract for shore protection in your community, but we are going to review it. The whole idea in NDDC is that we are also looking at new technology such Geotube system. The system is also used in rebuilding and reclaiming the land naturally.
“Having ascertained the situation on ground, we will go back and put the papers together and also see how we can partner with the state government and the International Oil Companies (IOCs) to see how we can all come together to ensure that we protect our communities.”
The chairman of the Sangana Council of Traditional Rulers, King Moses Theophilus Kenibara VII, Amadabo of Moko-Ama Sangana, thanked President Tinubu for the love showered on the people of Sangana community.
He also thanked the president for appointing their son from Bayelsa State as the managing director of NDDC, and assured him that the people of the community would continue to maintain the peace and cooperate with government for the development of the country.
