March 07, (THEWILL) – The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State Council, has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for its “Operation Light Up Bayelsa” initiative, describing it as a step in the right direction.
Chairman of the NUJ in the state, Tonye Yemoleigha, gave the commendation on Thursday in Yenagoa during a courtesy visit to the NDDC State Representative and Director, Godknows Alameyeseigha. He lauded the commission for its corporate social responsibility efforts, particularly in the education sector, which he said would contribute to the long-term development of the region.
While acknowledging the impact of the NDDC’s interventions, Yemoleigha urged the board to expand its projects to rural communities, where its presence is not as strongly felt.
He assured the commission of continued collaboration, noting that a strong media-government relationship is key to societal development.
He said, “The media’s role is to hold political office holders accountable while also highlighting their achievements for the benefit of the people.
“We are committed to reporting criminal activities and partnering with security agencies to curb crime. Everyone, including the NDDC, is working towards development, and only through synergy can we achieve greater success for our people.
“We will strengthen this partnership, and we urge our people to respect the law and take ownership of projects. Whether it’s a government project or one by interventionist agencies like the NDDC, there is no reason to vandalize them.
“When development comes to your community, you should not be the one to destroy it.”
In his remarks, the NDDC State Director, Godknows Alameyeseigha, urged the media to help sensitize the public on the need to safeguard projects in their communities.
He emphasised that many NDDC projects are often stalled, not abandoned, due to administrative changes and other challenges. He appealed for continuity in leadership at the commission to ensure the successful execution of its initiatives.
Alameyeseigha thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Samuel Ogbuku as the NDDC’s Managing Director and called for greater collaboration between the board and the Bayelsa State Government to accelerate development in the state.
He lamented, “We need to educate our people on the importance of protecting these projects. Take ‘Operation Light Up Bayelsa,’ for example—people are already stealing the solar lights.
“Our people cannot even go to rural areas to install these lights because of militant activities along the waterways.”
He called on the state and local governments to take responsibility for maintaining NDDC projects after they are completed, noting that the commission hands them over for management.
Alameyeseigha stressed that the NDDC cannot handle all the state’s development needs with the N164 billion allocated to it annually.
He urged the state government and National Assembly members to collaborate with the commission in project planning and execution.
“The state government should determine which communities need specific projects, and National Assembly members should play their part. Boards should also be allowed to function for a reasonable period before being dissolved, rather than changing them too frequently.
“We must set aside political differences and work together to build our state.
“I commission you, journalists, today as project monitoring ambassadors. Help us track these projects and educate the public to ensure a better society for all,” he concluded.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
