MD, DR. SAMUEL OGBUKU
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Dr. Shuaibu Balgore says stakeholders’ engagement in budgetary process would facilitate sustainable development in Niger Delta region.
Dr. Balgore who made this known while giving the keynote address at Partners for Sustainable Development, PSD, cum Budget Conference of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, in Uyo Akwa Ibom State, noted that the move by management would prevent abandonment of projects.
EDFA , CHARLES AIRHIAVBERE
With the last conference held about seven years ago, the Partners for Sustainable Development Conference was created to serve as a forum to bring all stakeholders together to come up with a workable budget for the speedy development of Niger Delta Region, in line with the master plan.
Declaring the conference open, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Niger Delta Development, Dr. Shuaib Belgore who emphasized the importance of proper budgetary procedure observed that budgeting would help to streamline the needs of the region and create chances for more projects to be achieved with scarce resources.
Represented by the Director Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr. Alfred Abah, the Permanent Secretary acknowledged that the initiative by Niger Delta Development Commission would guarantee project execution in the oil rich region.
Alfred Abah
Similarly, the Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku Revealed that the commission reached out to various stakeholders while putting up the budget committee of twenty twenty-four.
Dr. Ogbuku who insisted that twenty twenty four budget would reflect the vision of the people of Niger Delta, gave assurance that the commission would embark on regional projects, such as Okrika Borokiri Road which would be extended to Eleme and be made a dual carriageway.
Speaking further, the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Retired Major General Charles Airhiavbere noted that the Budget of reconstruction conference was for all stakeholders to be on the same page to avoid duplication of projects, while the Executive Director Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola encouraged participants to feel free to make imputes that would be a reflection of their interests as the implementation would be transparent and focused.
On his part, the Acting Chairman, Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria, TROMPCON, His Royal Majesty, Obafemi Ogbaro while applauding management for putting up the conference, emphasized project monitoring to guard against vandalism and abandonment.
It is expected that the conference would give a strong footing towards the actualization of Niger Delta regional Development Master plan.
