BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
Chairman, Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie says new strategies will be adopted to move the commission forward.
Mrs. Onochie who made this known on assumption of office in conjunction with the board members expressed regret that the interventionist agency is yet to achieve the expected milestone in the development of Niger Delta region.
The assumption of office was sequel to the inauguration of the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, after confirmation by the Senate.
The commission has been without a substantive board for quite some time, rather was led by Interim Administrator and Acting Managing Director.
Speaking during a handover ceremony at NDDC headquarters, Marine Base Port Harcourt, the chairman, NDDC Board, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie who gave assurance of the board’s readiness to serve the region, noted that President Muhammadu Buhari wants the best for Niger Delta Region.
Mrs. Onochie expressed displeasure that the commission has not lived up to the major reasons it was set up.
During a session with staff, the board chairman noted the need to improve the working environment and make personnel enjoy their work.
Similarly, the New Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbaku who assured staff of the resolve of the board to carry everyone along,
said that the board will look into the forensic audit and chart a way forward.
Earlier on, while explaining his handover notes, the immediate past Acting Managing Director, Dr. Emmanuel Audu Ohwavborua said that the staff of the commission has been waiting for a substantive board.
Dr. Audu-Ohwavborua While thanking the president for the opportunity to serve, promised that the staff will support the board.
The former Acting managing Director who enumerated his achievements to include, payment of contractors and consultants that have been owed for a long time, distribution of relief materials to flood affected communities, restoration of damaged portions of East West Road among others.
He recommended that among other things, that the board need to ensure that backlog of funds accruing the commission from ecological funds, oil companies and EFCC be released.
