Shun Oil Bunkering, NDDC Urges Youths From Oil Bearing Communities

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Commissioner representing Abia state on the  board of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Chief Eruba Dimgba, has appealed to youths to shun the vandalization of Oil pipelines and bunkering activities noting that the  trend is at once negatively affecting the environment and Abia State oil producing profile.

He said that  halting oil bunkering activities will shore up Abia state oil producing capacity,as well as  boost its quota in the oil producing state’s Commission.

Chief Eruba also expressed optimism that with a secured and enabling environment, investors both local and foreign will consider Abia State, particularly the oil rich Ukwa as a destination choice.

The NDDC Commissioner announced that the Commission is presently partnering with Geometric Power in Aba, to ensure a steady and regular power supply, to Ukwa land with a view to enhancing its economic growth and development.

He revealed that as part of the wider plan to open up Ukwa land for  accelerated development, reconstruction efforts have started on the abandoned 18.6 km Owaza Road by the NDDC.

Chief Dimgba who disclosed this during an interactive session with youths of the oil bearing part of  Abia state on Tuesday March 5 2024 ,at the Commission’s Office in Oke-Ikpe ,Ukwa West local council,noted that  the Interventionist Agency was established primarily  to cater for the interests of the youths,women and every one in the oil producing area.

The Youth leader of Ukwa Comrade Ugwumba Adiele,while appreciating chief Dimgba for his commitment to the development of Ukwa land ,expressed the readiness of the Youths to collaborate with the NDDC in the task of rebuilding the area.

The Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria Ukwa East Chapter ,Comrade Emmanuel Akparanta ,while calling on the Commission to consider supporting the youths in the establishment of Small And Medium Scale Enterprises ,provision of employment opportunities, Scholarship grants etc as a veritable way of curbing youth restiveness in the area, promised that the youths will partner with NDDC to halt the trend of oil bunkering.