The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has charged the newly inaugurated Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to prioritize completion of all ongoing projects in the region.
According to the Minister, this would better serve all Niger Deltans and inhabitants of the region and as well help to repair the negative public perception for the Commission.
The new Board has Mrs. Lauretta Onochie as Chairman and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director.
Umana, who stated this Wednesday in Abuja while inaugurating members of the board, specifically eulogized President Muhammadu Buhari, for fulfilling the promise of inaugurating a new Board for the Commission after the conclusion of the Forensic Audit.
“I begin this brief speech with a full appreciation of the President, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for fulfilling the law and keeping his promise.
“The President approved the constitution of the Governing Board of the NDDC in line with section 2 (1) of the NDDC (Establishment) Act 2000, and today we are all witnessing the inauguration of the Board in fulfilment of the President’s promise that he would put in place a New Board for the Commission after the conclusion of the Forensic Audit.”
Umana charged the new Board to look into allegations of irregular employment from 2019 and follow up on the ongoing personnel audit in the Commission. He also instructed them to ensure all cases of employment during the period under review were in accordance with extant rules and regulations of the Service.
As the overseeing Ministry, the Minister promised to give necessary and maximum support and guidance needed for the Governing board to succeed in all ramifications. This, according to him will include, organizing a retreat for the Board Members, their Aides and Management of the Commission, with the Honourable Minister, Honourable Minister of State and Permanent Secretary in attendance.
Umana stressed that he will not rest on his oars to make a difference through Federal Government’s intervention in the Niger Delta, and that we would reposition the NDDC and put it on the path to effective execution of its mandate for the wholesome and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
He announced the approval of President Buhari to the Ministry to implement a new template for the development of the region. The new development design, he hinted, centres on core infrastructure projects that include but are not limited to, the construction of inter-state roads with the ultimate goal of transforming the Niger Delta into a regional economic hub.
While charging members of the board to immediately hit the ground running, Umana sued for collaboration rather than competing with the state governments in the region to enable them deliver value to the majority of the Niger Deltans, who patiently waited for them to come on board.
