Niger Delta gets 21-point agenda for development
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to making the Commission’s systems and processes more transparent for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. To this end, the commission has set a 21-Point focus during its inaugural meeting in Port Harcourt as strategic to regional development.
The Chairman of the commission, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN) stated at the meeting that it has become imperative to create opportunities for public participation to engender confidence in the activities of the commission by all stakeholders in the region.
Enumerating other points, Senator Ndoma-Egba included curtailing the indiscriminate award of contracts in the Commission, saying that the Board’s approval must be obtained for all procurement of projects and programmes.
“The Board must adopt policies that would moderate or streamline the number of new procurements in the Commission, given that as at today, NDDC has over 9000 (nine thousand) ongoing projects, most of which are experiencing funding, implementation and other challenges.
“The Board must determine the status of each ongoing projects and programmes and put in place a mechanism to re-evaluate the viability of some projects, revise the scope of others, re-negotiate the cost of some and relocate or merge others, as well as evolve a strategy for settling verified debts,” he said.
The NDDC Chairman also said that because of paucity of funds, it was inevitable to prioritise projects and programmes, stating that “deliberate efforts must be made to determine the number of projects that can be focused upon and quickly completed.”
“As a matter of urgency, he declared, “the corporate headquarters building of NDDC and the remaining state office buildings must be given serious attention by the Board.”
Other points raised by the Board included appointments and postings of staff which must be based on equity, competence and determinable criteria; building synergy with all critical stakeholders especially the Amnesty Programme, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies, Development Partners and Security Agencies etc.; making efforts implement an NDDC master plan.” He added that Ad hoc, “short term” solutions have proved unsustainable.
Continuing, he said: “We have to transparently and strategically engage critical stakeholders which include the governors, the members of the State Houses of Assembly, the Staff, Traditional Rulers, Oil Companies, Youths (including the agitators) Women, the Disabled, Environmental Right Activists, etc.; efficient collaboration would make the Commission an actual Development Agency instead of its present perception as a Contract Awarding Commission; Private sector participation will have to be encouraged in the various developmental activities while development partners will be engaged to ensure delivery of relevant projects in the Niger Delta Region.
He also said that involvement of the communities in the sustainable clean-up of the environment must be allowed and that traditional and community leaders must be educated on the menace of pipeline vandalism and its effect on the environment, pointing out that communities had to be encouraged on proper waste management and the impact on the economy.
Senator Ndoma-Egba stated that addressing security concerns would be critical to achieving the mandate of the commission and that security agencies must be continually encouraged, as security was needed for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.
“Traditional ways of justice administration and alternative dispute resolution may be adopted in some cases rather than relying on force at all times to redress misconduct. People in the informal economy have to be identified and catered for. We must put in place a pragmatic youth empowerment policy which will enable the area’s youth to discover their talents and live useful lives.
“Training and retraining of the youths will continue to benefit the region. Appropriate training modules have to be identified for training the youth of the Region. This will be in consultation with the Amnesty office and development partners. This will improve stability and assure potential investors, local and foreign of the safety of their investment
“Empowerment of the indigenes has to be sustainable, based on needs assessment. Enhancing the position of women is also very important. Creating opportunities for women will help in addressing their needs and recognize their role in the community as peace makers; appropriate medical facilities and personnel will be deployed for the well being of the people of the region. Trained and qualified manpower will be assembled to attend to individual and specific health needs of the various communities.
“Corporate social responsibilities of International and National oil companies have to benefit the people. These companies will be encouraged to improve their relationship with the host communities under the coordination of a unit of the Commission; Improve transportation infrastructure by providing alternative and cheaper means for efficient movement of people and goods,” he said.
Senator Ndoma-Egba reiterated the need to win the confidence of all stakeholders in the process of development, stating that the responsibility of changing the fortunes of the Niger Delta and improving the living conditions of the people rested with everyone.
