Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ikeremadu, has described Niger Delta youths as freedom fighters and not demons as was being portrayed.
Ikeremadu stated these at the occasion of the land breaking ceremony of the Niger Delta Development Commission�s shore protection, landing jetty and construction of the principal�s quarters of the Ebedebiri community in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to him, the youths, who are mostly described as militants are people who realized the injustice of the neglect of the region by successive federal government in the country and are therefore merely fighting for their rights.
The Deputy Senate President, however tasked both the state and local governments in the region to live up to their responsibilities by complementing the efforts of the NDDC in the race for the development of the region.
Ewerenmadu, who was accompanied to the region by the former Jigawa State Governor, Senator Saminu Turaki and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District was received by the Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe and Captain Francis Boro (rtd.),Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Government/NDDC Relations, among others.
The deputy senate president, said the visit was his second to the Niger Delta�s coastal communities in the last six months, maintained that the neglect over the years caused the Niger Delta�s problems, but noted that for the first time, the 2008 budget of the federal government made provision of N15 billion for presidential intervention in the region.
He insisted that despite the challenges, the Niger Delta could be developed, but would require the political will, commitment and determination to succeed
Speaking earlier,Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Timi Alaibe, said sustainable development had been taking place in communities in the Niger Delta, pointing out that the environmental challenges of the Niger Delta were being consciously addressed by the Federal Government, through the NDDC.