The Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs is working on a new regional master plan for the development of the Niger Delta region, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has said.
Akpabio stated that the ministry is harmonising the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan with the Niger Delta Action Plan to produce a new regional road map for the development of the oil rich region.
He made this known at the new headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) at the Eastern By-Pass in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of his inspection tour of Niger Delta projects.
The minister, according to a statement issued by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Patricia Deworitshe, harped on the need for collaboration and synergy in the effort to develop the Niger Delta region.
He, however, regretted that the NDDC had not lived up to the expectations expected of it.
He said, “Whether we like it or not, this child (NDDC) has not grown well in 19 years. It could have done better. Perhaps, we lost track of the developmental plan of the Niger Delta region.”
He commended the current interim management committee of the NDDC for delivering the new office complex, which he described as a good story for the commission.
“The most thrilling thing for me is that change has come to the NDDC. I must commend the management and staff of the NDDC for making this possible.
“Despite the criticisms and distractions, some positive change has taken place in the Commission and I like to see progress because I am a development-oriented politician,” he said.
The minister added, “This feat could not have been achieved without the cooperation of members of the IMC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs.
“The completion of the new NDDC headquarters is a positive story for Nigeria, especially when you consider that the project has taken over 24 years to get to this point.
“It is to the glory of President Muhammadu Buhari that we are sitting in the new headquarters today. This is a legacy project which the IMC will be remembered for.”
With the inauguration of the NDDC Advisory Council by President Buhari, Akpabio said the Commission will work closely with the governors in the region to avoid the problem of duplication of projects.
He noted that the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising the nine governors of the Niger Delta Region and the Ministers of Niger Delta Affairs and Environment, was inaugurated in line with the provisions of the NDDC Establishment Act.
“I want a positive image for the NDDC. Therefore, we must collaborate with the National Assembly to change the situation. If there is need to rejig the law, we will encourage the lawmakers to do that, particularly in the area of budgeting.
“We must budget for more regional projects that will impact lives of the people. We must budget to bring industrial development, as well as bring about capacity building in the region,” the minister added.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Babayo Ardo, said the site inspection embarked by the minister is to appraise the progress of work done and also to give appropriate attention to areas where the Ministry with other development partners would intervene to ensure that the project is completed for the benefit of the people in the region.
Ardo said NDDC is being repositioned and refocused on the mandate of the Ministry with the support of the president for effective service delivery.
“Therefore, it is important to synergise the master plan and actions with all development partners,” he added.
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