The Interim Administrator of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr. Efiong Akwa, has pledged to partner with member states of the Niger Delta and stakeholders towards regional development.
Speaking when he led a delegation of the Commission’s directors on a courtesy visit to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, at the Government House, Uyo, the NDDC boss revealed that the visit was part of the Commission’s continuing engagement with stakeholders of the Niger Delta region.
He stated: “When I was appointed just about sixty days ago, the President and Commander-in-Chief charged me with, among other things, facilitating a stronger collaboration with, and building a more vigorous partnership among, relevant stakeholders in the region.
“To facilitate the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta one of the key prescriptions of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is partnership.”
Akwa applauded Governor Emmanuel for “demonstrating a strong belief in the Niger Delta project.” According to him, the governor brought the enterprise spirit, expertise and culture to bear in governance.
He remarked: “You have shown the importance of building social infrastructures as a key component of building physical infrastructures, by building industries that would not only boost the state’s economy, but help in creating jobs for teeming Akwa Ibom people
“Our visit is both to acknowledge your strategic importance to Niger Delta development, as well as to seek ways in which we can forge a stronger alliance with the government and people of Akwa Ibom State. In all these, we remain committed to providing projects and programmes of enduring quality. After so many years of underdevelopment, the people of this great region deserve no less.
“We do not know it all. That is why we have come here, to listen to you, to pledge to work with you, as a strategic leader of our region, towards ensuring that what we do, for instance, in Akwa Ibom State in the discharge of our mandate, meets your approval and enjoys your cooperation. The past practice where the Commission undertook projects and programmes in the states, without first building a working coalition with the states governments, to integrate our plans, policies, projects and programmes into the state government’s overall master plan, is over.”
He informed the governor of the commissioning of the new NDDC Headquarters complex, in Marine Base, Port Harcourt on February 25, 2021. Noting that it was accomplished under the supervision of Senator Akpabio.
