OBONG UMANA CHARGES NDDC BOARD TO INITIATE IDEAS THAT WILL MOVE THE COMMISSION FORWARD

BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT

Members of the Board of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, have been enjoined to come up with ideas that will turn around the development status of the region. 

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana who gave the charge while declaring open Board and Management Retreat of the Commission in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, reminded the board that expectations were high.

The three-Day Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Board and Management retreat with the theme, “Making a Difference” was put together to provide a veritable platform for the new board to brainstorm and chart a new course that would facilitate the development of Niger Delta region. 

With renowned speakers drawn from among technocrats and experts in different fields, some of the topics to be treated include, “Essentials of the Public Procurement Act,”

  “Overview of the National Strategy on Public Service Reforms and Critical Issues in Public Service Reforms, 

 “The Auditing Function: Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), 

“Guidelines to Accounting Procedures and Imperatives in Ministries, Departments and Agencies.among others. 

Declaring the event open, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana, who told the participants that expectations are high from the people of the region, emphasized the need to provide enough information for the members that will serve as a guide with regards to their roles. 

Obong Umana expressed confidence that judging by the caliber of speakers selected for the retreat, the board will be well equipped to deliver on their mandate.  

Similarly, the Managing Director, NDDC, DR. SAMUEL OGBUKU revealed that NDDC will roll out sustainable development programmes for Niger Delta region.  

The Managing stated that to bring that to bear, a Public Private Partnership Committee has been inaugurated to work towards enlarging the partnership coast of the commission to guarantee funding for its legacy projects. 

The Managing Director who appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for the privilege to serve in NDDC, gave assurance of the readiness of the board members to turn things around for good in the Commission.

Apart from the board members, all the directors of NDDC are participating in the retreat.