Niger Deltans Expect Qualitative Difference, Minister Tells NDDC Board 

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, has urged members of the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to live up to the expectation of qulaitative difference from the people of Niger Delta.

Mr. Umana made this known while declaring open the ongoing NDDC Board and Management retreat held at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo.

According to the Minister, the retreat, which parades knowledgeable resource persons from Office of the Secretary to Federal Government, is aimed at setting the template for a focused and effective take off of the Board.

” I trust that this new Board, made up of experienced professionals, will not fail the confidence reposed on them.

“I’m certain that with the line up of very knowledgeable resource persons from the Office of Secretary to Federal Government, you will be well imparted for effective service in public governance”. He said.

The Minister listed key laws and policy guidelines that would help them in making a difference in their assignment to include Establishment Act 2000, Roles of Management Board of parastatals, Public Procurement Act 2007 and others.

In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbokwu, declared that NDDC is committed to taking the Niger Delta region to greater heights.

“We’ll undertake sustainable programmes for youths, landmark projects, establish new partnerships with development partners and IOCs. Our public private partnerships shall be reconstituted for development of the Niger Delta.” He said.

Some of the topics handled during the technical session included “Essentials of the Public Procurement Act, by Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr. Mamman Ahmadu; “Overview of the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms (NSPSR) and Critical issues in the Public Service Reforms by Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr. Dasuki Arabi among others.