Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Accountability for Progress has lauded the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, for carrying out intervention work on sections of the East-West Road destroyed by flood.
The group noted that the swift intervention by the NDDC to repair the road was an indication that the leadership of the Acting Managing Director, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, meant business and understood the mandate of the commission as an interventionist agency.
The convener of the group, Mr Charles Ogbado, recalled that the damaged road particularly cut off Bayelsa State from its neighbours and led to massive humanitarian crisis as no vehicle from either Delta or Rivers states could access that state.
Ogbado also commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Okon Umana, for his firm, clear and transperant leadership, which, he said, had reflected in the positive change of attitude in NDDC.
“We recalled that the acting managing Director of NDDC, Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, led the Minister of the Niger Delta, Umana Okon Umana to the most impacted aspects of the road and they promised that remedial work would be done to open the road again.
“We all thought it was one of those fake promises. But almost immediately the palliative work was done and the East-West road has bounced back again. This is a perfect demonstration that the acting managing director understands the mandate of the NDDC as an interventionist agency.
“We want to commend him for a job well done. Since he assumed office, our eyes have been on him and with the reforms and transformation he has so far carried out we can confess that the NDDC is gradually being refocused to meet the yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta.
“We are also impressed with the firm, clear and transparent leadership style of Minister Umana, whose directives and harmonious relationship with the new NDDC management has led to a positive change in attitude,” he stated.
The group further lauded the NDDC boss for paying the accumulated salary arrears owed some category of workers and establishing a cordial relationship between employees and the management of the commission to allow peaceful and cordial work environment.
Ogbado urged all stakeholders in the Niger Delta to support the acting Managing Director and exercise patience for him to fulfill other flood-related promises, especially the provision of relief materials to flood victims.
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