The Ministry of Niger Delta Development (MNDD) has officially inaugurated the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in a ceremony held in Abuja.
The Minister of MNDD, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, urged the newly appointed board members to prioritize the Eight (8) Presidential Priorities set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the guiding principles for the development of the Niger Delta region.
Addressing the gathering, Minister Momoh emphasized the significance of aligning with the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda, stating, “The inauguration of the board means that we have accepted to be part of the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda, and to that extent, we need to be conversant with the Eight (8) Presidential Priorities. You are expected to work towards delivering on those areas.”
He called for a shift in the approach to development in the Niger Delta, urging the board to address issues such as abandoned projects and the prompt payment of local contractors owed amounts below Thirty Million Naira after confirming the completion of their work.
Dr. Shuaib Belgore, the Permanent Secretary of MNDD, emphasized the importance of the Niger Delta region and urged the newly appointed board members to leverage their wealth of experience and expertise to work collaboratively with the ministry and other stakeholders. He highlighted the need to achieve socio-economic prosperity in line with the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of President Tinubu.
Expressing gratitude to President Tinubu, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, the Chairman of NDDC, underscored the challenges and responsibilities facing the board. Ebie emphasized the commitment to Mr. President’s ‘Renewed Hope’ mandate and outlined the board’s focus on executing legacy projects based on detailed need assessments.
He also stressed the importance of strategic collaboration with partners and effective communication with key stakeholders to restore trust, transparency, and accountability, thereby enhancing development in the region.