Senator Dickson Opposes Bill For Inclusion Of Non-Niger Deltan States In NDDC.

The Former Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, His Excellency, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has opposed a bill for the inclusion of Non-Niger Deltan States in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The Former Governor and Senator made this known through his official facebook handle, expressed his concerns regarding the proposed bill that is aimed for the inclusion of Anambra state in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Senator Dickson stated categorically that the bill for the inclusion of Anambra as a non-Niger Deltan state does not align with the historical foundation and geographical circumstances surrounding the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Commission basically.

While strongly opposing the inclusion of Anambra, Gombe, Kogi and Sokoto or any other State where oil maybe found to the NDDC, Senator Dickson raised the possibility of a new bill to encompass oil-mineral producing states commission to accommodate all states that oil may be found.

Senator Dickson while explaining in details historically of the establishment of the NDDC, stated that the NDDC is not all about the oil producing states, but basically about addressing the challenges of the people of the Niger Delta region, as one of the nine Deltas of the world.

“There is a possibility of a new bill to encompass oil and mineral producing states commission like the previous OMPADEC which any state that oil may be found in commercial quantity can join the commission basically,” he added.

While making salient arguments of the bill for the inclusion of other oil-producing states, Senator Dickson brought to light the objections of the inclusion of states outside the core Niger Delta states when the NDDC bill was sent to the national assembly for approval basically.

The statement reads: “On the Floor of the Senate on Wednesday, I expressed my concerns regarding the proposed Bill that aims to include Anambra state in the Niger Delta Development Commission.

“My concerns stem from the fact that this legislation does not align with the historical foundation and geographical circumstances upon which the establishment of the NDDC was originally based.

“NDDC is not only about the oil producing states, it is about addressing the challenges of Niger delta, One of the 9 Deltas of the world. The bill and the argument also brought to light the objections to the inclusion of States outside the core Niger-Delta states when the NDDC bill was sent.

“While opposing Anambra, Gombe, Kogi and Sokoto basin or any other states where oil maybe found to join the Niger-Delta, I raised the possibility of a new legislation to encompass Oil mineral producing states commission like the previous OMPADEC to which any state that oil may be found in commercial quantity can join and that was the overriding view that the senate took after my submission.