The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu has tasked the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure even spread of developmental projects to Ukwa community in Abia State.

He further said that the nine states making up the NDDC should not be neglected

Kalu said this during an interactive session with the delegation from Ukwa People’s Consultative Council led by its President General Don Ubani in Abuja

The states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

Kalu expressed worry over the concerns raised by the delegation on the “undue marginalisation of Ukwa as an oil producing Community”.

He said there was need to ensure equal spread of intervention projects of the NDDC across the nine states.

According to him, the area is known for oil production and the status of Abia State as a member of NDDC came as a result of its ability to produce oil and gas from Ukwa.

“Interestingly, some of the things you mentioned have been my concerns in the 9th Assembly, in regards to the spread of intervention programmes of the NDDC across the nine states.

He said this led to the first visit of the acting MD that toured Abia, Imo and other states.

Kalu said he insisted that the tour was necessary, to have a proper update of their presence in various parts of the states.

This, according to him, is to be able to establish whether or not, the report they see on papers is the same thing on ground.

“I totally agree with you that, what we have in Abia, as an oil producing state and as a member of NDDC, comparatively speaking, is below average, in terms of developmental interventions.

“A call from the stakeholders that an improvement should take place, is definitely not a wrong call.

The deputy Speaker commended the leadership of Ukwa community for holding their youths and in spite the fact that the development interventions were below average.

He said they kept their heads peacefully and allowed all the IOCs handle their operations peacefully in those communities.

Earlier, Ubani who led the delegation, solicited the support of the House leadership towards ensuring equity and fair distribution of developmental projects to Ukwa community.

He said a time had existed in this system where the entire South East was shut-out, but under the present administration, at least the people have been given a sense of belonging

He said farmers in Ukwa federal constituency could not farm effectively because the fertility of the soil had been diminished due to oil exploration and exploitation.

“Let there be manifestation of concern on the part of NDDC. Nothing so far has given us course to be happy as oil producing area.

“We need to avoid situation that will create youth restiveness and the best way to do it is to make sure that there’s development, ” he said.

The management of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, has denied allegations that one of its house officers, Dr Michael Umoh, died after a 72-hour call.

This is contained in a statement issued by LUTH management team in Lagos on Thursday.

“LUTH management understands the fact that the family of Dr Umoh is presently mourning the death of their beloved son and requested the foreclosure of any media engagement regarding the death of their son. It is important for us as a management to make clarifications regarding the circumstances surrounding his death.

“Dr Umoh died on Sept 17 while in church with his parents. The management was informed, and the death was later confirmed by one of the Consultants in his unit (Neurosurgery).

“The death of Dr Umoh is unfortunate but the narrative of a 72 hours non-stop shift is false.

“The record from Neurosurgery unit shows that the last time he was on call was 13th and 14th September, 2023.

“He was not on call on the 15th, 16th and 17th (the day he died), contrary to the insinuations on social media. He was at home with his parents on Sept. 16 and Sept. 17,” the management said.

Prior to this time, the management said, he was on call on the Sept. 7 and Sept. 8.

”This shows that Dr Umoh was on call for a total number of four days in September, 2023.

“A delegation from LUTH visited the family on Wednesday to commiserate with the family and to get more details of the circumstances surrounding his death.

“The parents gave the details of what they thought must have contributed to his death but pleaded that the wish of the family be respected and that the narrative is not for public consumption,” it said.

The management described Dr Umoh as a hardworking and diligent house-officer, and a very promising young man.

It said he will be sorely missed by his friends and colleagues.

“May his soul rest in peace, and may the Almighty give the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss” LUTH said.