Permanent Secretary Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mrs. Mary Ogbe says Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC is an agency set up to shape the destiny of the people of Niger Delta region.
‎Dr. Mrs. Ogbe who made the assertion during NDDC Twenty Twenty-five Budget Conference cum Partnership for Sustainable Development PSD Forum, in Port Harcourt Rivers State, maintained that budget should address needs of the people and not just figures.
‎The Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC Twenty Twenty-five Budget Conference, Christened Budget of Consolidation provided an avenue for all stakeholders in the region including all the mandate states, Oil Companies, Traditional institutions among others, to brainstorm on a workable budget for the year.
‎In a keynote address, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mrs. Mary Ogbe who noted that budgetary allocation was an indication of direction of development, maintained that budget should take care of the environment, education, agriculture, youths and vulnerable groups.
‎On his part, Chairman NDDC board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who told participants that a good governance structure has been set up to enable management function optimally, called for support by the stakeholders for board and management to fulfill their mandates.
‎In the same vein, Managing Director NDDC, DR. Samuel Ogbuku stated that the present Administration came up with Partners for Sustainable Development PSD, to provide opportunity for all stakeholders to make their imputes in the yearly budget.
‎Dr. Ogbuku who insisted that NDDC Budget was being done according to needs assessment, explained that light up Niger Delta Solar Street Light project came by needs assessment.
‎The MD told the gathering that the commission was coming up with mini grids to boost industrialization in the region.
‎He stated that other areas where needs assessment has brought about projects were in potable water, which the commission was planning to provide in the rural communities.
‎In Education, it led to distribution of forty five thousand U-lesson educational tablets to aid education and learning in secondary and primary schools.
‎Additionally according to him, about five Corpers’ lodges have been built in parts of the communities to enable Corps members contribute to learning in the schools.
‎The MD said that NDDC was leveraging on partnership with development partners especially with NLNG for Kar Ataba bridge and Okrika – Boroki bridges in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
‎The Chief Executive Officer of the Interventionist Agency stated that NDDC and IMO State were equally in partnership for the construction of Egbema-Ohaji Road.
‎The MD who stressed on the need for food security noted that the partnership with Imo state would link up states in the region as well as make food available for the residents.
‎While admitting that NDDC made some mistakes in the past and was making deliberate efforts to change the narrative as well as chart a new course, Dr. Ogbuku Identified frequent changing of management leadership and board as one of the major causes of project abandonment.
‎He gave assurance that the management was willing to implement ideas and suggestions of the stakeholders to make the region prosperous in all facet.
‎Dr. Ogbuku called for unity among different ethnic groups in the region to enhance progress of oil rich Niger Delta region.
‎In a goodwill message, The Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator ASUQUO EKPEYONG who pledged the commitment of the National Assembly to appropriate funds to facilitate development of the region, commended NDDC for taking right steps to partner States and other stakeholders in budget preparation.
‎In a remark, Secretary to Bayelsa State Government, Professor Nimibofa Ayawei, speaking on behalf of other state governments, gave assurance of their readiness to work with NDDC to avoid duplication of projects.
