Social Action Demands Transparency, Accountability From NDDC, As It Resists Attack

The Non-governmental Organisation, NGO, Social Action has once again call on the Niger Delta Develpment Commission, NDDC’s to be transparent and accountable now, saying that the NDDC decried Social Actions;s jingle is an Intimidation Tactics employed to ‘smother the voices of the Niger Delta People’.

This is contained in a press release signed by Botti Isaac, Programs Coordinator, Social Action and received by Informavores!.

The statement further said that stopping the Social Action’s jingle for addressing the rampant corruption within their institution is an unacceptable attack on our civic freedoms.

The statement said, “Social Action soundly rejects the attempt by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to silence public discourse, as evidenced by the NDDC’s recent demand to cease broadcasting Social Action’s radio jingle on Independent Radio 89.7 FM, Abuja.”

“In a letter dated July 5, 2023, the NDDC decried Social Action’s jingle for addressing the rampant corruption within their institution. Let us be clear: “This is an unacceptable attack on our civic freedoms and a blatant attempt to smother the voices of the Niger Delta people, who have long borne the brunt of impoverishment and gross underdevelopment, despite the region’s rich resource endowment and the establishment of a Commission designed to foster its progress”, said Isaac Osuoka, Director of Social Action.

“Social Action’s radio program, “The Voice on NDDC,” is committed to promoting robust discussions about accountability within the NDDC. Our aim is to intensify civic actions that drive transparency and ensure the Commission provides inclusive services. Our mission is not to smear the Commission but to expose the stark reality of its operations.

“We have tirelessly extended invitations to both the NDDC and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to participate in public discussions aimed at boosting accountability within the NDDC. These overtures have been consistently ignored. The NDDC’s sudden interest in its public image, despite its persistent apathy towards public engagement, is a cause for concern. When dialogue is shunned, the public has every right to form opinions based on the facts at hand.

“We are hopeful that the new management has the capability to correct the myriad of issues plaguing the Commission, as revealed by previous investigations carried out by the executive and legislative arms of the Nigerian government. However, hope is not a strategy. We call on the new management to demonstrate their commitment to reform by enhancing the Commission’s public image through transparent and accountable actions rather than attempting to manipulate public opinion.

“While we acknowledge the NDDC’s concern, we adamantly refuse to be silenced or have our civic space diminished. We insist the NDDC management take our requests for dialogue seriously and actively engage with media and civil society organizations to better fulfill their mandate.

In a letter addressed to the Managing Director, 89.70FM Indepenedent Radio Abuja and sighted by Informavores, the NDDC had request immediate ceasation of a defamatory jingle or face court trial. the letter read: 

“At or about 7:25am at the 23rd day of June 2023 and on subsequent days, you transmitted on your 89.70 FM Independent Radio Abuja a jingle blatantly imputing corruption and unwholesome practices to the NDDC”

“The jingle complained of took beyond reasonable context, proceedings at the House of Representatives during a public hearing in August 2020 involving the Commission by repeatedly saying the following words: corruption in NDDC off your mic”

“The natural and ordinary meaning of the said words is defamatory of NDDC as they connote that the Commission is enmeshed in corruption and corrupt practices; that the Commission misapplies resources allocated to it and should not be in existence by reason of that. The harm to the reputation of the commission by the said words is further aggravated by the fact that the light against corruption is on the front burner at this time and your station has wide coverage. You have been broadcasting the jingle at peak listening periods every day over the years as we have come to understand and with consequent incalculable damage to the reputation of Niger Delta Development Commission. You have als brought the staff to adium and approbrium by reason of your broadcast”

“The purpose of this letter therefore is to DEMAND as follows:

1. That you CEASE AND DESIST immediately from further broadcasting the offensive words.
2. That you send a written confirmation to the Commission that you have pulled down the offensive jingle within 7 days if this letter”

“TAKE NOTICE that in the event of your failure, neglect and/or refusal to accede to the demands here above the Commission will in addition to lodging a formal complaint to the regulatory authorities, file a suit against you seeking for damages and perpetual injunction”

“Please accept the assurance of our highest regards”