Delta State governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to focus on the development of the Niger Delta with a vision that is people-oriented.
According to him, the master plan that was put up by the commission in collaboration with the states some years ago would help to develop the Niger Delta while more money should be spent on bigger projects that connect communities.
Speaking when the interim administrator of the commission, Mr Effiong Akwa and his management team visited him in Asaba, governor Okowa urged the NDDC to do something that would positively impact the people.
NDDC is supposed to be an interventionist agency, “he said, noting that because of politics, “we have continued to allow ourselves to be caught in the web of competition which ought not to be.”
The governor commended the interim administrator for reaching out to stakeholders in the region on their efforts toward the development of the area and expressed hope that the NDDC would truly live up to the expectation of the people.
He advised the team to partner with the state governments in the region in its activities, “in the interest of the region.’’
“I don’t know how long you will be there, but try to make a mark for yourself while your stay lasts. When you are satisfied that you have done well according to your conscience then, you can leave the office a happy man.”
“I am glad that you have met other governors; I am also of the opinion that the Presidential Advisory committee on NDDC should meet with the management of the commission to look at further ways we can collaborate to develop the region. The more we are able to relate with ourselves, the more we are able to achieve as a people,” Okowa said.
He noted that the more the youth of Niger Delta were engaged, the better for the nation, adding that his administration will continued to provide skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for youths in the state to enable them become job creators instead of job seekers.
Earlier, Mr Akwa, the interim administrator of the commission had told the governor that he was in Asaba as part of his engagements with key stakeholders in the region to share his plans for its people.
Akwa stated that NDDC was committed to the sustainable development of Niger Delta and assured that the commission would no longer carry out projects at variance with the aspirations of the people.
Highlight of the visit was the donation of five waste disposal trucks to the Delta State Government by the NDDC.
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