NDDC Threats Against “Off your Mic” Jingle: Social Action Reacts
By Ekemini Simon
Social Action, a civil society organisation working on resource democracy and social justice, has rejected the attempt by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to silence the civic space over the commission’s recent threat of legal action against ” Corruption in NDDC, off your mic” jingle.
In a letter dated July 5 and signed by Director of Legal Services on NDDC, Peter Okoro to the management of Independent Radio 89.7 FM, Abuja, NDDC demanded the radio station to cease broadcasting Social Action’s radio jingle that address the rampant corruption within the commission else complaint will be lodged to authorities and legal action taken against the station.
Reacting to the letter, Social Action in a statement signed by the Programs Coordinator, Botti Isaac said the demand by NDDC is an unacceptable attack on 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 NDDC designed to foster its progress.
The organisation wondered the reason behind NDDC’s sudden interest in its public image, despite what it described as its persistent apathy towards public engagement.
Social Action said they 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 but the invitations have been consistently ignored.
The organisation insisted that when dialogue is shunned, the public has every right to form opinions based on the facts at hand.
The statement explained that the radio program, “The Voice on NDDC,” is committed to promoting robust discussions about accountability within the NDDC.
Social Action noted that the organisation’s aim is to intensify civic actions that drive transparency and ensure the Commission provides inclusive services stressing that its mission is not to smear the Commission but to expose the stark reality of its operations.
Part of the statement reads ” 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.”
Social Action insisted that they refuse to be silenced or have their civic space diminished. They charged the NDDC management to take their requests for dialogue seriously and actively engage with the media and civil society organisations to better fulfill their mandate.