NDDC pledges to reduce wastage to meet its mandate

Ini Friday, Uyo

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said the agency is committed to reducing wastage of scarce resources allocated to the region.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku said reducing wastage would better position the commission to achieve its mandate, adding that the commission is committed to change in its method of operation.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo during the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Forum on NDDC 2024 Budget of Reconstruction Conference, Ogbuku stated that the conference would enable stakeholders the opportunity to pool resources together, initiate projects and programmes that would build the region and empower the people.

“We would, arising from this conference, galvanise our energies for a common purpose, eliminate duplications and institutional suspicions in the development process, reduce the incidence of working at cross purposes, as well as reduce wastage of scarce resources allocated for regional developmental initiatives by all e stakeholders.

“In the end, we all would be in a better position to achieve the different aspects and levels of our collective mandate to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region of our shared aspirations and dreams,” he stated.

The MD said the commission is promoting a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model that would provide an alternative source for key development projects and programmes.

He explained that the PPP model would communicate a new phase for the commission that would create a gateway of opportunities for foreign and local investors, captains of industry and multilateral agencies.

Speaking during the keynote address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Dr Shuaib Belgore, said NDDC budgets have been faced with challenges, including belated submission, and delayed approvals amongst others.

Belgore who was represented by the Director, Planning and Statistics, NDDC, Alfred Abbah, explained that the challenges have led to low or poor implementation of the budget and urged the commission to adopt a budgetary process that is in line with the stipulated provisions of the relevant Establishment Act.

“The way forward is to embrace robust and innovative pathways anchored on transparency and Stakeholder participation towards right budgeting, thus maximizing the available resources to address the most critical needs of the people,” he said.