The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a performance agreement with the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) to expedite implementation of the Niger Delta Master Plan.
Both parties agreed to align the regional development plan implementation with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Minister of MNDD, Abubakar Momoh, supervised the signing between the ministry and NDDC, according to a statement released by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
The statement stated that Mr Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of NDDC Governing Board, and Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, signed the agreement on behalf of NDDC during a two-day NDDC Board and Management Retreat.
Momoh emphasized the significance of reviewing the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan as a vital framework to guide and execute development initiatives in the Niger Delta.
“This is important because there cannot be sustainable development in the Niger Delta without development plans.
“Therefore, I challenge the narrative around the commission by understanding that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had established a template to measure performance of all agencies of government.
“The performance bond signed by the NDDC Board and Management includes deliverables linked to the eight presidential priorities of the Federal Government,” he said.
Momoh urged the board to complete ongoing projects in the region and settle all debts owed to contractors, particularly local contractors owed less than N30 million.
The statement indicated that a communique issued at the end of the retreat called for improved communication to change the negative perception about the commission.
It noted that the frequent changes in the Governing Board of the commission have significantly contributed to the challenges in project execution and delivery in the region’s development.
“As a result, the Federal Government should ensure that the current Board completes its tenure and that there is continuity in succeeding Boards to ensure the sustainability of NDDC projects.
“There should be proper synergy, collaboration, and a coordinating framework between the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, State Governments in the region, NDDC and development partners.
“Procurement is at the heart of governance and is one of the government activities most susceptible to corruption. Therefore, the Board and Management of NDDC must effectively discharge their responsibility.
“NDDC must manage the procurement process involving all stakeholders, without compromising the core objectives as provided under the Procurement Act.
The communique recommended the urgent release of all outstanding statutory contributions owed to NDDC by the Federal Government, stressing that the non-release of funds has negatively impacted the commission.
It observed that the construction window for the region made it imperative for NDDC to gain some form of financial autonomy outside the Treasury Single Account (TCA) regime.
“This affects the process of enabling NDDC to take advantage of traditional credit sources in completing projects and deliver real impact for sustainable development of the region,” the communique read in part.