The Minister for Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission, to intensify its engagement with stakeholders in its efforts to develop the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement on Friday, during a two-day board and management retreat of the Niger Delta Development Commission, held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, the Minister stated that collaboration and partnership were paramount for the success of the NDDC and the ministry.
According to Momoh, “The harmonisation of the existing development plans in the Niger Delta region was one of the ten deliverables the president gave to the ministry for implementation between 2024 and 2027.
“NDDC must insist on the delivery of quality jobs so that the Niger Delta region will get value for money expended on development projects.”
Also speaking, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, noted that the gathering was a reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong desire to have the Niger Delta Region transformed into a zone of peace and development.
“Since our inauguration just over two months ago, as a highly accountable and proactive board, we have achieved progress. Together, we have worked to dispel the negative narratives that once plagued the commission, aiming to make that a thing of the past,” Ebie said.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, during the event disclosed that the commission was strengthening its processes and improving its corporate governance system.
He added, “We are not just building roads and bridges. We are stitching together a vibrant tapestry of development, from healthcare and education to skills development and job creation.
“At present, we operate under the Treasury Single Account framework. We recognise the importance of transparency and accountability, principles enshrined in the TSA policy.”
