Coalition lauds Buhari over NDDC appointments

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has been lauded over his commitment and reconstitution of a new team to manage the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The coalition made the commendation while briefing journalists on the outcome of a meeting convened by the Center for Peace, Accountability and Probity in Africa in Abuja on Monday which had in attendance leaders of 35 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Youth Based Organisations in the Niger Delta region.

Executive Director, Centre for Peace, Accountability and Probity in Africa (CPAPA), Ogheneyero Patrick, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the meeting was held to appraise the activities of the present administration in the Niger Delta.

He commended Buhari for retaining the Executive Director of Projects, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Engr Samuel Adjogbe, following the reconstitution of Commission Board.

He said by retaining Engr. Samuel Adjogbe, President Buhari has proven that he is committed to all the promises he made to the region with respect to projects execution and development.

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According to the group, Engr (Dr) Adjogbe has been instrumental to the qualitative and timely execution of projects at the NDDC as well as involvement in peace-building initiatives in the region, a situation it said was critical to the many successes the Commission has recorded thus far.

“We have watched closely the commitment and ingenuity Engr (Dr) Samuel Adjogbe has brought to bear in projects execution at the NDDC. We observed that the projects delivered under his supervision were not only strategic but delivered in high quality and timely too.

“Indeed, these projects have been strategically targeted at addressing the felt needs of the region and its peculiar challenges. We make bold to say, that he has proven to be a patriot who has abhorred corruption in the many years of his public service and placing a high premium on diligence in service delivery.

“This is why we consider the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to retain Engr. Adjogbe – in the strategic position of Executive Director Projects NDDC – as an indication that he means well for the Niger Delta region,” the group stressed.

Speaking further, spokesman of the group hinted that a 5-man team of the CSOs paid a working visit on the commission to commend Engr (Dr) Samuel Adjogbe for daring to be different in an era many public servants prefer to short-change the system for pecuniary gains.

He explained that Engr. Adjogbeduring the visit reiterated the clear fact that President Buhari has the region at heart and is desirous to ensuring that development takes the centre stage.

“President Muhammadu has shown undivided commitment to the development of the region and that is why several projects are being executed simultaneously across the Niger Delta States. The records are there for anyone to assess, there is no State that does not have a major project that has been completed or ongoing.

“There is however need for the people of the Niger Delta to embrace peace and constructive engagement so that the tempo of projects execution can be sustained while opening her doors to investors who will come in and catalyse the economy of the region and ensure the lives of the people will be better off,” Ogheneyero quoting Adjogbe said.

He urged the youth of the area to shun violence and engage in positive ventures that will better their lives and help reclaim the lost glory of the area assuring that the CSOs have concluded plans to host a Peace summit in the region in February tagged, “Niger Delta Ready for Business.”

According to the CSOs, the summit in its contribution to the efforts of ensuring a peaceful region adding that the summit would seek to reorient the youth of the region on the need to be peaceful and productive.

They urged the reappointed Executive Director Projects not to rest on his oars but to redouble his patriotic efforts to justify the fervid confidence President Buhari has reposed in his unparalleled competence.