By Obiabin Onukwugha
Director-General of the World Trade World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has tasked the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, on the need for sustainable development of the region.
According to Okonjo-Iweala, the NDDC has a responsibility to impact positively on the lives of the people of the region.
The WTO DG gave the charge in her keynote address tittled: “Transmitting Vision to Reality for The Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta region,” at the grand finale of activities marking the 25th anniversary of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State at the weekend.
She also emphasised the need for peace in the region to enable the federal government make optimal use of the resources in the Niger Delta.
“The NDDC has very important responsibility, first to the people of the Niger Delta, to ensure that they positively impact on the people of his region, then to ensure that the region is peaceful for Nigeria to make optimal use of the resources in this region.
“The NDDC has an automatic role of transforming the region. It is expected to find a lasting solution to socioeconomic challenges of the Niger Delta region. This is what the people will be expecting you to deliver,” Okonjo-Iweala stated.
Earlier, Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu pledged that development, peace and growth of the Niger Delta region remains a priority in his administration.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, Tinubu noted that the Niger Delta has played and will continue to play significant role in the development of the country. He also stated that as a pioneer regional agency, the NDDC has played significant role in the well-being of the people of the region.
“It is with great joy that I address you on this momentus occasion. As pioneer regional development commission in our country, NDDC has come a long way. NDDC has remain pivotal in the well being of the people of the Niger Delta region.
“This region has play a significant role in Nigeria’s development. The development, peace and growth of the Niger Delta region remains a major priority of my administration.
“Since the inception of my administration, NDDC has continued for recieve full support from the government to carry out it’s responsibilities in the Niger Delta region,” the president said.
He mentioned that the Presidency has directed the Management of NDDC to complete all critical ongoing projects in the region. “I have directed the management of NDDC, through the Minister of Regional Development, to complete critical projects in the region,” he stated.
In his welcome address, NDDC managing director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission has achieved some much across communities in the Niger Delta region in the past 25 years of its existence.
Ogbuku said: “The as you know has a history of 25 years, in 25 years, NDDC has done so much, NDDC has achieved so much. In some communities, the only government presence are NDDC projects.
“The partnerships we had built is part of the successes we have recorded today. NDDC partnered with SPDC to build Ogbia-Nembe Road. We approached Chevron to build the Omediani-Escravos Road. We are still in discussion with Chevron.
“We partnered NLNG to build the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, the Okrika-Borokiri Road and several others projects were work have started in earnest. The Kaa-Ataba Bridge will be completed before the end of this year,” he stated.