Response to Senate's probe of NDDC's interim management committee (IMC)

I am lost for words, where do I start my critique of the NDDC and Niger delta in general. 

Niger delta is a part of Nigeria in the South South region  it comprises of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo( not in South south but oil producing state) and Rivers states. The bulk of Nigeria oil comes from here so the peoples see themselves as the owners of the oil and therefore feel cheated. They agitate for development, even threatening to secede from the country, resources control or in lieu of that preferential treatment and got it with the establishment if Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). These states get 13% derivation from the federation account apart from their fat monthly  allocations  from federation account. 

It's of note that NDDC's budget is more than the budget of several states in other regions of the country put together. The Niger delta attracts fat ecological fund also while the FG is also doing a lot of projects like roads and electricity. The oil companies too are not left out in attempt to develop the area but the people prefer cash to good roads or health and educational facilities. 

Upon all, the sea is not satisfied they keep troubling the rest of Nigerians with demands daily sometimes breaking pipelines, kidnapping foreigners and locals and engaging the armed forces. 

After getting all these one expect the area to be the Dubai of Nigeria alas no. The area is an eyesore to visitors as all the roads are in terrible shape, no single hospital that is worth it's name, there's no single university worth it's name, no single industry either small or medium. There's no five star hotel worth it's name in the region. 

Now the question is what happens to all the monies pumped to this area year in year out? The monies end up in private pockets Eh! as revealed by the current probe of NDDC interim management committee which spent 85.0 bn Naira in 8 months on self and not on developmental project. They claimed to have paid debts (needs verification) and the rest shared. Some people received 10 million Naira covid19 palliative while the lowest paid got 600000 Naira. These are employed people whose salaries are regularly paid. Let's note that millions of other qualified Nigerians out there are jobless and did not get a dime in covid19 palliative. There are the aged, retirees, aged widows who did not get anything yet some people explained casually (to Senate) how they shared 3.1 billion Naira. 

What do they do with it? Frivolities perhaps because nothing to show for it. If the individuals who steal or share these free monies (that's how they see it) use it to build industries and tourists centres the place will still develop and attract foreign investment and tourists. As it is now no foreigner can invest in these areas because no basic facilities like good roads, electricity and security is lacking with daily kidnapping, robbery and even piracy. 

If you, Niger Deltans have the chance to secede and become a country with this humongous corruption and insecurity do you people think your lots will be better? The answer is obvious because one who cannot manage his household cannot manage a clan. What should I say that oil is a curse to Niger delta? I make bold to say it yes it's a curse and other Nigerians are tired of Niger Deltans.

One is ashamed when one compares Niger delta with UAE, both have oil, one uses oil money for common good and become world destination while the other uses its money on frivolities and become a reproach. 

If given the chance, someone like me will do either of two things 1) excise you from Nigeria and keep the off shore oil for the rest of Nigeria or 2) repeal the law setting up NDDC and derivation and use the money directly from FG to develop the area. Free money must stop. 

PS-I expect you to abuse me, curse but no evil will befall me bcos I just told Nigerians and the world the truth. It's very bitter.