The
Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission,
NDDC, Professor Nelson Brambaifa, has commended President Muhammadu Buhari
for demonstrating an enduring love for the Niger Delta region.
The
new Chief Executive Officer of the interventionist agency, who spoke during the
inaugural meeting of the new management at the Commission’s headquarters in
Port Harcourt, noted that the Federal Government had “indeed begun
refunding over N1.3 Trillion owed the Commission since inception.”
Prof.
Brambaifa, whose appointment was announced on Friday, January 25, 2019,
alongside that of the Acting Executive Director Finance and Administration, Mr.
Chris Amadi and the Acting Executive Director projects, Engr. Dr Samuel
Adjogbe, said the new management team was a response to the growing unhappiness
in the Niger Delta region over government’s commitment to developing the region
and improving the living conditions of the people.
The
Acting Managing Director said that Niger Delta had suffered enough and
President Buhari recognised this and had taken prompt action to redress the
situation and reassure the people on government’s commitment to their welfare.
Prof.
Brambaifa reiterated that President Buhari, had for the first time since the
establishment of the NDDC, ensured that the Federal Government started to meet
its statutory financial obligations to the Commission in full.
He
said that President Buhari also ensured that all other statutory contributors
to the funding of NDDC met their obligations, noting that the President also
worked to restore peace and security in the region by tackling all grievances
of the people.
The
new NDDC boss said that the appointment of the management team was another step
in the effort to offer hope to the Niger Delta people and restore their
confidence and faith that he would take decisive action to rebuild the region.
Prof.
Brambaifa pledged to do everything necessary to respect and implement the
mandate of the Commission, “which is to facilitate the sustainable development
of the Niger Delta, into a region that is socially stable, economically
prosperous, politically peaceful and ecologically regenerative.”
He
stated that it was necessary to start work immediately, stating: “The task of
developing the Niger Delta is too important to be toyed with, and too
compelling to waste time on.”
He
urged all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to “join hands with members of the
new executive management to ensure a smooth transition, as well as contribute
to the immediate delivery of Mr. President’s mandate.”
Also
addressing staff of the NDDC, Prof Brambaifa urged them to embrace teamwork. He
declared: “I will change NDDC and take it to the next level.”
