By Ofonime Honesty
The ballroom of the prestigious Sheraton by Four Points, Ikot Ekpene, on Friday, hosted the top brass of the Niger Delta Development Commission, other public officials, private sector players and media professionals as the Commission’s retreat commenced in Akwa Ibom State.
Day One of the converge panned out as an avenue for interchange of knowledge and germane ideas.
Management staff, board members and resource persons did justice to topics cutting across diverse areas.
A 10-Point ‘Renewed Hope Vision’ was unveiled at the retreat.
Captioned ’10 Key Elements of NDDC’s Renewed Hope Vision’, the agenda include Building Partnerships, Project Hope for Renewed Hope, Lighting Up the Niger Delta, Carbon Emission Reduction and Sustainable Livelihoods.
Other areas are Stakeholders Engagement, Improved Youth Capacity and Skills Base, Effective/Professional Workforce, Efficient and Cost-Effective Projects and Improved Peace/ Security.
The 10-Point agenda, according to the Chairman, Governing Board of the Commission, Mr. Chiedu Ebie is in sync with “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strong desire to have the Niger Delta Region transformed into a zone of peace and development.”
Expressing resolve that the current Governing Board is resolute in achieving its core mandate of changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta, Mr Ebie divulged that “since the inauguration of the NDDC Governing Board just over two months ago, as a highly accountable and proactive board, we have achieved progress,” and added that “together, we have worked to dispel the negative narratives that once plagued the Commission, aiming to make that a thing of the past.”
Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, in a no- holds-barred address, declared the Commission’s drive at “transiting from transaction to transformation.”
According to him, the era when NDDC was rightly or wrongly regarded as a cash cow milked dry by corrupt administrators, politicians and contractors, is over.
Ogbuku announced that despite some perceived shortfalls in the past, the Commission has however done very well especially in execution of projects.
His words: “I challenge anyone to go to the rural communities, the only projects you’ll likely see are NDDC projects. These projects are sometimes not known because most of them were not commissioned, or publicised.
About 7483 projects have so far been completed in the region since inception of the Commission. About 2300 Postgraduate scholarship has been offered. Our medical outreach remains one of the best. Under Project HOPE our youths are to be trained and empowered.”
He said in a bid to strengthen its corporate governance structure, a renowned firm KPNG has been contracted. “KPNG will set a framework for us to regulate ourselves internally.”
The MD however suggested that one of the issues that should to be addressed in order to boost NDDC’s efficiency is to tweak the Treasury Single Account (TSA) framework:
“A one-size-fits-all approach poses challenges to our diverse operational landscape. Although it is good for transparency, accountability and efficient pooling of public resources, the TSA policy has weighty limitations for an interventionist agency like the NDDC.
“Many landmark projects were brought to life before the TSA, utilizing Advance Payment Guarantees to expedite delivery and ensure timely execution. 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. To truly deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda, we need to remove funding impediments.
“Such removal will enhance Regional Development Needs; as the NDDC is tasked with addressing specific and urgent development needs in the Niger Delta region. Timely and flexible financial decision-making is crucial to respond effectively to dynamic regional challenges.”
Minister of Niger Delta Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, saluted the Commission for the determination to change the fortunes of the region.
He assured that the ministry will look towards implementing inputs made at the summit but charged the Commission to “enthrone a regime that will be a pride of the public service.”
“This board has to do well. Your requests shall be taken up. I also urge you to collaborate more with agencies, engage more with State governments especially on where to site projects,” he added.
Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, solicited for partnership between NDDC and the State Government.
She said, “the Governor yesterday (during a courtesy visit to the Governor by the NDDC team) had stated the fact that NDDC was created with specific objectives,.which includes facilitating the development of the Niger Delta region, by touching lives and building infrastructure. Most importantly, the Governor, yesterday, did emphasize and has asked me to reiterate that Akwa Ibom State Government is ready and willing to collaborate and partner with NDDC to ensure that the benefits that will accrue from the Commission, will get to the people of the State. The theme for this retreat is, “Renewed Hope; A New Era For Vitality, Peace And Development and we can see that the Board is ready to work.”
On his part, Chairman, Senate Committee, NDDC, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong, who addressed the forum via Zoom, was emphatic in warning that “this might be the last chance to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta Area.”
He stressed that “this present board has the opportunity to lay a solid and sustainable foundation for the development of the Niger Delta. The people of the region have been patient for long and there is no better opportunity than now to improve the lives and livelihoods of the people.”
Ekpenyong implored NDDC to “deploy technology for effective and efficient delivery on your programs and projects” and promised that the “10th Senate that we shall provide all legislative support needed to make sure the NDDC succeeds.”
Chairman, House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, represented by Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Jafaru Gambo Leko, thumbed up the Commission but enjoined it to gird for the task of real transformation and rebranding.
He however hailed members of the Governing Board and Management as capable hands.
Chief Timi Alaibe, former NDDC MD, in a paper tagged ‘Delivery of Sustainable Development: Strategic Imperatives’, said th Niger Delta must develop and meet the needs of the people without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. “Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta environment is something that should not be compromised because of the damage to our ecosystem, environment and sociopolitical survival and sustainability.
“Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta environment is something that should not be compromised because of the damage to our ecosystem, environment and sociopolitical survival and sustainability.”
Former Minister of Information, Mr Frank Nweke, in his discourse, urged participants to imbibe service integrity with national outcomes.
He emphasized that no nation develops by accident.
Engr Emeka Eze, CEO of TBT Solutions and Pioneer Director General, Bureau for Public Procurement, stressed that in Commissions like NDDC, information on public procurement must be made available and transparent at all times.
The event laced with tea breaks plus questions and answers sessions anchored by Dr Sam Omatseye, Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers; and Dr Sam Amadi, Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, was very enriching.
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