…Caution politicians against overstressing NDDC
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has advised the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to shift its focus towards developing the Niger Delta region beyond hydrocarbons.
Jonathan noted that the world was fast moving away from hydrocarbons and urged NDDC to work with the Bank of Industry to promote industrialization and agricultural revolution in the region.
He also cautioned politicians against overstressing the NDDC, stating that political interference has hindered the Commission’s progress in the past.
Jonathan disclosed these in his opening remarks as the Chairman of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit organised by the NDDC in Port Harcourt, with the theme, “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta.”
He emphasized the need for sustainable development through education, skills acquisition and industrialization, while urging the current NDDC leadership to ensure the completion and maintenance of projects, handing them over to state governments for sustained maintenance.
The former president said: “The NDDC should begin to see how the region can be developed without hydrocarbon. The world is fast moving away from hydrocarbon, and even the the oil may dry out, just like it dried up in Oloibiri.
“Developing the Niger Delta region without hydrocarbon is achievable through education, skills acquisition, industrialization and agriculture. NDDC can work with the Bank of Industry to issue loans for industrialization and agricultural revolution in the region.
“NDDC came into being as a child of necessity to provide infrastructure and improve the livelihoods of the people of the region. The first set of leadership was getting it right when the Commission started until politicians took over. When politicians took over NDDC, the progress was slowed down, but I think this current leadership is beginning to get it right.
“To stakeholders and politicians in the region, we shouldn’t overstressed the NDDC, so that the agency can perform. Sen Godswill Akpabio being the most senior politician from the region should work with every stakeholder for the betterment of the region.
“NDDC must stop the issue of abandoned project. NDDC should be able to manage and maintain the projects they have implemented, especially roads. These roads after completion should be handed over the states so the state government can maintain them instead of allowing the the roads to decay.”
