President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, said his regime had started taking steps in line with the recommendations of the Niger Delta Development Commission’s forensic audit report submitted to him in September 2021, assuring that the process would soon usher in a new management and board for the Commission.
The President gave the assurance at the opening ceremony of a two-day management retreat organised by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs at the Old Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja.
Represented by the Minister of Transportation, Muazu Sambo, he said, “Undoubtedly, the federal government has made huge commitments to the Niger Delta region in furtherance with its desire to give the people a new lease of life.
“This administration has been proactive in response to issues of the region. We are adopting and implementing more prudent policies and programmes that will bring about a better Niger Delta region.
“It is gladdening to note that the ministry has prioritised the repositioning of the NDDC to ensure they deliver on their objectives and mandate. This is evidenced by its efforts that led to the completion and commissioning of the Commission’s headquarters building complex in March, 2021, providing the Commission with a conducive base to operate.
“In pursuance of our determination to curb corruption and in response to the call of the governors of South-South for a forensic audit of the NDDC, I undertook some critical reforms and requested a forensic audit of the NDDC from inception to 2019.
“The report of the audit has been submitted and implementation of its recommendations has commenced in phases. This process will soon usher in a new management and board for the commission.”
He also stated that in order to strengthen the internal structure of the NDDC, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs had been mandated to carry out a comprehensive staff audit of the Commission, and ensure that right staffing and proper placement were achieved.
“Accordingly, I urge all well- meaning Nigerians, especially the Niger Deltans, to exercise restraint and ensure a conducive and secured environment for implementation of the several developmental projects and programmes in the region,” added.
Making reference to the ongoing East-West Road project, he described it as one of the largest pieces of infrastructure in Nigeria, and would play a “strategic” role in connecting the region’s busiest commercial cities.
While promising that the road will be completed before his regime ends, he directed the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited and its subsidiaries to step in and execute Section 4 of the project (Eleme Roundabout to Onne junction) through the tax credit scheme.
“This should be expeditiously addressed considering the importance of the road to our national economy,” he added.
President Buhari noted that Strategic Implementation Work Plan, a framework focusing on the objectives raised in the Federal Government’s 20-point Agenda and the Pan Niger Delta Forum’s 16-point Agenda, would be strengthened to provide the framework for coordination of development initiatives in the Niger Delta Region to achieve maximum impact, especially at this critical time.
In his address, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, disclosed that his vision was to utilise the few months left in the life of the administration to make a huge impact in the development of the region, adding that it was his desire for the ministry and the NDDC to robustly collaborate and synergise with a view to bequeathing a more prosperous Niger Delta region.
While soliciting the collaboration of development partners and other stakeholders in the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes geared towards development of the region, he noted that his focus would be directed towards result-oriented and impactful activities within his limited period in the ministry, adding that NDDC had made commendable progress at repositioning the NDDC to achieve its original mandate.
