By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel has commended the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC) for willing to partner with state governments in addressing the challenges of developing the region.
Governor Emmanuel while receiving members of the newly constituted Governing Board of NDDC, who paid him a courtesy visit in government house, Uyo, noted that cooperation and collaboration is the way to go to positively impact on the lives of people of the region.
According to the governor who was represented by his deputy, Mr Moses Expo, the NDDC’s given mandate of developing the Niger Delta would be achievable when there is cooperation and collaboration between the commission and state governments in the region.
His words, “We expect collaboration and not confrontation from the new board. It is soothing to see you here, we will work with you and support the NDDC Governing Board. We love your approach by coming here today. The NDDC is, perhaps, the messiah that has come to erase the shame of the Federal Government which has no presence in Akwa Ibom State.
“Leading the NDDC is a big challenge. I, therefore, expect members of the board to step up to tackle the challenges and change the narrative in the region.” He added.
Governor Emmanuel assured members of the NDDC new Governing Board that the state government was willing to work with the Commission to bring development to the region, which produces the oil resources of the nation.
While commending the members of the Board for the visit and for choosing Uyo for their management retreat, he charged the NDDC leadership to effectively support the states of the Niger Delta region in their development efforts, regretting that this had not been the case in the past.
Earlier in her remarks, the NDDC Chairman, Mrs. Onochie, said that the Commission was determined to partner with the governors of the Niger Delta region to ensure that the oil-producing states enjoyed sustainable development.
Onochie said that the current NDDC Governing Board was ready to do things differently and would operate according to the Act setting up the NDDC for the good of the people of the Niger Delta region.
She stressed: “We are here to seek your support. It is noteworthy that the State Governor is a member of the NDDC Advisory Board. We will always come to seek your advice. We plead with all stakeholders to refrain from putting pressure on us to do the wrong things.”
Speaking further, Onochie said, “The NDDC will be non-partisan, irrespective of political affiliations. We are here to work for the good of everyone in the Niger Delta region.”
The NDDC team was led by the Chairman, Mrs. Lauretta Onochie and accompanied by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; Executive Director, Finance & Administration, Maj-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); Executive Director, Projects, Mr. Charles Ogunmola, as well as other Directors of the Commission
