By Chidiebere Ugwu
The federal government through the Minister of Niger Delta Development (MNDD), Engr. Abubakar Momoh has tasked the newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to focus on the realization of President Bola Tinubu’s 8-point agenda.
He also urged them to be guided by these priorities in their works for the Niger Delta area.
At the ceremony, the Minister said, “the inauguration of the board, means that we have accepted to be part of the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to that very extent, we need to be conversant with the Eight (8) Presidential Priorities ranging from Food Security, Ending of Poverty in inclusivity, Job Creation, Anti-corruption stance, Rule of Law and others. To that extent you are expected to work towards delivery in those areas.”
“We are also aware that there has been a lot of complaints about the NDDC and I want to use this opportunity to appeal and also direct that this time around, we need to change the narrative. We cannot continue to do the same thing the same way and expect that we are going to achieve a different result.
Collectively, therefore, we must be committed to how the zone can be transformed.”
Engr. Momoh further tasked the board to revisit abandoned projects, and ensure that about N30 million owed local contractors are cleared off.
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, in his opening remarks reminded the newly appointed Board members of the NDDC of the importance of the Niger Delta region.
He urged the board members to bring to fore their wealth of experience and expertise, as well as dedication in working harmoniously with the ministry and other stakeholders to achieve socio-economic prosperity in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of Mr. President.
The Chairman, NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for deeming it worthy to appoint them on the board of NDDC.
According to the Chairman, “Considering the challenges and enormity of these responsibility the board would stand on the pedestal of Mr. President ‘Renewed Hope’ mandate and will look back at the vision and history of the NDDC 23 year’s existential journey aligning it with current realities and objectives of the current administration”.
He added, “We would execute legacy projects based on detailed need assessment and seek strategic collaboration with our partners. Effective communication with key stakeholders is paramount in the discharge of our duties with development partners, as this would restore trust, transparency and accountability which will enhance development in the region.”
