We Hold Your Brief
Dear Counsel, Kindly, advice me on this matter. Although it is not quite personal, we are constrained by circumstances, to take steps with regard to our future.
We as the youths of Igboloma village in Delta State, have experienced untold hardships and marginalisation, by the oil companies operating in our area. Everyone is aware of the devastating activities of oil companies in the Niger- Delta region, and this affects our lives in every way you can imagine. Unlike the youths in other areas in the region, we are seriously opposed to violence and other negative acts to press for our rights.
We have had lengthy discussions with the elders of our village, and they are of the view that NDDC should take responsibility for the problems we are having. There are no Government amenities in our community; the Commission has completely neglected our area, and there is no employment for our youths. Our visit to the NDDC did not yield any fruitful result.
Instead of resorting to criminal activities like youths in other communities, we have resolved to sue the NDDC. What are the functions of the Commission? Please, advice us, on whether we can sue them. Alfred Ogiri Delta State Dear Mr. Ogiri, You deserve commendation for choosing the path of peace, in your quest to better the lot of the youths in your community. There is no doubt that the negative activities of youths in that region, has left much to be desired. The dire consequences for the country, have permeated our collective economic wellbeing as a nation.
However, the NDDC was established by an Act of the National Assembly. It is the Niger-Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc) Act 2000 Act No 6. Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
The Act repealed the Oil, Mineral Producing Areas Commission Decree 1998, and it reorganised management and administrative structure, for more effectiveness; and for the use of the sums received from the allocation of the Federation Account, for tackling ecological problems which arise from the exploration of oil minerals in the Niger-Delta area and for connected purposes.
The Act mandates the Commission to ‘Formulate policies and guidelines for the development of the Niger- Delta, area. Some of the salient provisions in that Act, include amongst others, ‘Conceive, plan and implement, in accordance with set rules and regulations, projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the Niger- Delta area in the field of transportation, including roads, jetties and waterways, health, education, employment, industrialisation, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications’.
Also, to ‘Tackle ecological and environmental problems that arise from the exploration of oil mineral in the Niger- Delta area, and advice the Federal Government and the member States, on the prevention and control of oil spillages gas flaring and environmental pollution’.
Where you feel that your community has been neglected by the Commission in its activities, an action in court to compel the Commission to carry out its statutory duties, might indeed, help in your situation. The Commission is a body corporate. It can sue and be sued. Discuss this with your Lawyer.