Ini Billie, Uyo
The Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana has warned the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) not to flout the Public Procurement Act in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking on Friday during a retreat for the Board and Management of the commission in Uyo on the theme, “NDDC: Making a difference”, Umana charged urged them to strictly adhere to the rules of due diligence and transparency in line with the Establishment and Public Procurement Acts.
The minister stated that the board was meant to enhance the development of the Niger Delta region, adding that the region needed a new lease of life having suffered neglect and deprivation for so long.
He advised participants to set a template that would facilitate rapid development of the region and Nigeria in general.
“This retreat is principally to ensure that the new board are properly equipped to provide a new direction for the development of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
While speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said the new board has a template for sustainable programmes for youths and every citizen of the region.
“The Board is expected to do something different to take the Niger Delta region to a greater height,” he said.
Ogbuku assured that the commission would endeavour to create partnerships with International Oil Companies (IOCs) and other stakeholders through a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative.
He encouraged participants to come up with ideas, programmes and blueprints that would take the region to a new level of development.
“We will soon unfold our packages for the development of the region. The Niger Delta Development Commission Board is expected to make a great difference this time around,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has promised to collaborate with the commission in addressing the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region.
Emmanuel who stated this during a courtesy call at the Government House, Uyo, by the members of the NDDC Governing Board, said the state government was willing to work with the Commission to bring development to the region.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, commended the members of the Board for seeking to partner with the state government, saying that cooperation and collaboration was the way to go.
“We expect collaboration and not confrontation from the new board, It is soothing to see you here, we will work with you and support the NDDC Governing Board. We love your approach to coming here today. The NDDC is, perhaps, the messiah that has come to erase the shame of the Federal Government which has no presence in Akwa Ibom State.
“Leading the NDDC is a big challenge. I, therefore expect members of the board to step up to tackle the challenges and change the narrative in the region,” he stated.
He charged the NDDC leadership to effectively support the states of the Niger Delta region in their development efforts, regretting that this had not been the case in the past.