Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State has promised to partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in its efforts to fast track the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
He made this known when the NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, and other directors of the commission visited him in Government House, Asaba.
However, Oborevwori appealed for the commission to urgently complete all NDDC projects (both ongoing and uncompleted) across the state.
A statement by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the Governor emphasized the need for a strategic and collaborative approach between the commission and the Niger Delta states.
Doing so, Oborevwori believes, will address the challenges confronting the people of the region.
In the words of the Governor: “I assure you that we are ready to collaborate with all development agencies committed to the development of the Niger Delta region and we are going to support you to enable you to discharge your duties.”
While reacting to a request by the NDDC team for collaboration on the execution of the Omadino-Okeronkoko-Escravos road, Oborevwari noted that such a partnership which would involve Chevron was a welcome development.
He assured that his administration was open to collaboration in the execution of projects, advising the commission to embark on projects that would add value to the lives of the people of the region.
He equally advised the commission to avoid cases of duplication of projects and pointed out that it was very necessary to consult the states before embarking on projects in their respective territories.
Earlier, the NDDC helmsman, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission would increase its collaboration with development partners, including the state governments and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.
He assured Oborevwori that the NDDC board and management would work in synergy with governors in the nine states covered by the commission.
He stressed the need to re-activate the NDDC Advisory Committee, which is backed by law, to advise and monitor the activities of the commission.
Ogbuku made a case for a tripartite execution of the Omadino-Okorenkoko-Escravos road, stating that the road would boost the economy of Delta State when completed.
He said that discussions were ongoing with Chevron, which is the major international oil company operating in the state, as one of the parties in the execution of the project.
The NDDC boss also presented a document detailing the proposal for the key project to the governor.
He noted that the NDDC recently inaugurated five mega projects across the nine states of the region, which included the 25.7km Ogbia-Nembe road, executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.
“We also commissioned the 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV electricity substation at Okitipupa to serve over 2,000 communities in the southern part of Ondo State. Similarly, we inaugurated another 1×15 MVA 33/11 KVA injection substation in Amufi, Edo State.
“In Akwa Ibom State, we commissioned the 600-meter Ibeno Bridge and the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-IwuoAchang road in Ibeno Local Government Area. The N10 billion virgin road project links 20 communities, hitherto separated by the Qua Iboe River,” Ogbuku said.
Ogbuku explained that the agency had given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through its Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE) meant to identify interests of the youths for skills training.
According to him the Project HOPE had helped the commission to develop a comprehensive digital repository containing important information about Niger Delta youths, including their qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and current employment status.
The NDDC is working with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce in the training of youths and young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region, Ogbuku hinted.
He added that the commission would collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce to support Small and Medium Enterprises in the region so as to ensure the sustainability of youth development programmes.
He said: “We are also partnering with the Bank of Industry to fund projects and support businesses to facilitate the success of our empowerment programmes.”
Ogbuku stated that the Commission engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen its corporate governance system, as well as improve its internal processes and institutional protocols.
The move was to ensure that a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance was established in the NDDC, Ogbuku explained.
