Minister urges NDDC management to ensure effective service delivery

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr Abubakar Momoh, has tasked the new Niger Delta Development Commission Board (NDDC) and Management to ensure effective service delivery and constant monitoring of projects to enhance development in the region.

Momoh said this during a two-day retreat in Uyo on Friday with the theme; “Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development.” 

He urged the board and management to constantly monitor and evaluate the performances of all contracts to ensure compliance with the scope and other details.

He charged the board and management to make meaningful headway in creating a roadmap for sustainable development of the region.

The minister acknowledged the significant role being played by NDDC in fostering development in the region.

He charged the commission to faithfully implement the recommendations of the report of the forensic audit in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President 

“As you are all aware, the Forensic Audit has been concluded and its report submitted to the government.

“While the White Paper on the report of the Forensic Audit is being awaited, some of its recommendations, are being implemented; an example is the constitution of a new board for the commission

“The tasks before this New Board shall include a faithful implementation of the recommendations of the report of the Forensic Audit, in line with the President’s “Renewed Hope agenda

“I want to remind us that if we must make any headway in chatting the desired roadmap for sustainable development of the region.

“All hands must be on deck, with every courage it deserves, to tackle those factors that have constituted a clog in the wheel of development programmes and policies in the region.

“It is expedient that I draw your attention to the need to constantly monitor and evaluate the performances of all contracts to ensure compliance with the scope and other details,” Momoh said. 

Earlier, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, appealed to President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to remove the commission from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) financial framework for maximum performance and efficiency. 

Ogbuku said though it recognises the importance of transparency and accountability, principles enshrined in TSA policy, such financial framework has its weighty limitations for the interventionist agency. 

He said operating under the TSA framework may limit the commission’s financial autonomy and hinder it from quickly adapting to emerging needs or unforeseen circumstances as well as limiting its flexibility in resource allocation.

“To truly deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda, we need to remove funding impediments.

“We advocate the removal of the NDDC from operating under the TSA framework due to the Commission’s unique characteristics and the potential benefits of increased autonomy in financial management.

“The TSA framework may limit the NDDC’s financial autonomy, as all funds must pass through a centralised account, potentially affecting the speed of financial decision-making in response to regional development needs.

“The rigid budgetary discipline enforced by TSA may hinder the NDDC’s ability to quickly adapt to emerging needs or unforeseen circumstances, limiting its flexibility in resource allocation.

“While we embrace the TSA’s transparency goals, its centralized control has undoubtedly created hurdles, particularly in maintaining project pace. The limited construction window further compounds these challenges,” Ogbuku said.

The chairman of the NDDC board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said that the gathering was a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s desire to have the Niger Delta transformed into a zone of peace and development.

Ebie said that the people of the Niger Delta region expect the board to make a difference and impact positively on the lives of the people.

“Since our inauguration. 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.

“We must continue to work and impact on the lives of our people,” he said.

In his remarks, Gov. Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom called for effective collaboration between the state and NDDC to enable it to achieve its mandates of sustainable development in the region.

Eno, who was represented by his deputy, Sen. Akon Eyakenyi, pledged his administration’s preparedness to partner with NDDC in the development of the region.