Protesting youths storm NDDC head office

The Nation

1 October 2011

Protesting youths storm NDDC head office

No fewer than 1000 displeased youths from the nine states of the Niger Delta yesterday stormed the head office of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to protest against poverty in the region.

The youths, armed with placards and banners bearing various inscriptions, were chanting “save our souls” songs and they took over the ever-busy Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, thereby disrupting traffic and activities at the NDDC and adjoining offices for some hours.

Some of the placards read: “Mr. President, save us, we are dying”, “SGF, don’t kill the vision of NDDC”, “Youths need empowerment”, “SGF, be sincere in NDDC matters. We need proactive leadership”, “SGF, engender NDDC to work, poverty is high” and “SGF, give acting MD mandate to perform her functions. We are tired.”

The youths protested under the umbrella of the “Watchdog of Niger Delta” and the “Niger Delta Peace Movement,” with policemen and soldiers on hand for the peaceful protest not to become violent.