TheCable

Edwin Clark, chairman of Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has asked Godswill Akpabio to stop “interfering” in the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Akpabio is the minister of Niger Delta affairs.

Speaking when he received Effiong Okon, NDDC interim administrator, at his residence in Abuja on Wednesday, Clark said: “The problem we have is the constant interference in the NDDC by the minister.”

The PANDEF chairman urged the federal government to fund the East-West road which started under ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“There is no provision in the NDDC budget for the completion of the East-West road. I don’t know why the road is not under the minister of works.

“We are asking the federal government to make special funds for the completion of the road.”

On his part, Okon, whom President Muhammadu Buhari appointed in December, urged the youths protesting his appointment to allow peace reign for the benefit of the region.

Buhari had appointed Okon after sacking the interim management committee (IMC) led by Kemebradikumo Pondei.

Corruption allegations were levelled against the IMC which was indicted by the senate for allegedly mismanaging N4 billion.

The house of representatives also probed committee for “squandering N81.5 billion”.