President Muhammadu Buhari has stated that a new Management and Board for the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, would be announced soon.
President Buhari stated this on Thursday while presenting a keynote address at the opening ceremony of a two-day top management retreat of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and Niger Delta Development Commission at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking through the Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Jaji Sambo, he stated that the implementation of the forensic audit report which has commenced in phases would soon usher in new management and board for the Commission.
He also highlighted the importance of the ongoing East-West road project to the nation’s economy, and reassured that the project would be completed before the end of his administration.
The President said:
“This retreat would serve as a veritable platform that will provide a unique opportunity to correct whatever irregularities had existed in the past and thereby attain an effective and prosperous working relationship that will be for the best interest of the Niger Delta region and Nation at large.”
“The Federal Government has made huge commitment in the Niger Delta region, in furtherance with its desire to give the people a new lease of life, taking proactive steps to responding to the issues of the region, adopting and implementing more prudent policies and programmes that will bring about a better region.”
In his welcome address, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, stated that the Ministry required the collaboration and coordination among the Agencies, Development partners and other stakeholders to achieve its mandate of developing and transforming the region.
He stated that the ministry would prioritise projects prosecution and payments by focusing on impactful projects in the area of security, health, education, water, roads and other sectors that would address the basic needs of the people of the area.
