Diri Flays NDDC over Absence of Big-Ticket Projects in Niger Delta
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has flayed the Niger Delta Development Commission, over absence of people oriented big ticket projects initiated and completed by the agency in the region, despite the huge funds sunk into the Commission.
He urged the Commission to collaborate with the state governments in the region in executing big-ticket and legacy projects that will impact on the lives of the people.
Governor Diri made the call in a courtesy visit led by the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku in company of other directors of the Commission in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He said his own big-ticket projects in the state were located in the three senatorial districts of the state.
“We all want to leave legacies in places where we work. I lend my support to you and the board of the NDDC.
“We have started the Nembe-Brass Road because of its importance. Such projects will save us from the kind of boat mishap that occurred recently. We want the NDDC to collaborate with us on the road.”
The governor charged the NDDC to fully activate the Advisory Council of the Commission to effectively give a voice to the governors who are members and avoid duplication of projects.
“I urge you to quickly meet with the governors to get their blessings on matters of development projects in the states. We need to ensure synergy and avoid duplication of projects. This can be achieved by activating the powers of the Governors as members of the Advisory Board in line with Section 2 of the Act establishing the NDDC.
“As governors, we fought for the setting up of the substantive Board of the NDDC. It is a prayer that has been answered and we thank President Muhammadu Buhari for listening to us.
“Earlier, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, assured the Governor that all NDDC stakeholders were being engaged to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.
“We are engaging the International Oil Companies, IOCs, traditional rulers, civil society groups, contractors and youths in the Niger Delta region,” he said.
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In his remark, the NDDC boss, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku said that as a way of addressing its inadequate financial resources, the commission had adopted a Public Private Partnership, PPP, approach to development.
He disclosed plans by the commission to hold her maiden PPP Summit in Lagos before the end of the month.
Ogbuku also stated that the Ogbia-Nembe Road, which was executed through a partnership between the NDDC and Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, would be commissioned by President Buhari in May.
“One of the first steps by the management was a decision to do things differently. NDDC is making efforts to capture every stakeholder in our 2024 budget. We expect that our 2024 budget will be all-inclusive. We will ensure that our projects have a limited lifespan. We are working on having a smart budget.”
Other dignitaries present at the visit include; the Bayelsa state representative on the governing board of the NDDC, Senator Denyanbofa Dimaro, and the executive director, projects, NDDC, Mr. Charles Ogunmola.
