17 March 2014, Uyo – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has identified some of the constraints affecting its performance to include corruption in the system, ownership of the Niger Delta Regional Development Plan, adequate compliance with the NDDC Act of 2000 and the Public Procurement Act of 2007.
A-12 point communique released weekend at the end of a four-day retreat of the governing board and management of the commission held in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, the commission identified factors that hinder its effort towards achieving the mission of facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
The communique of the retreat with theme “Re-focusing the NDDC for Better Service Delivery” was signed by the chairman of the board, Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw, Managing Director, Mr. Bassey Dan-Abia and three other directors, noting with concern the poor funding and internal weaknesses of the commission.
“There are external constraints that sometimes hamper the NDDC from effectively discharging its duties. Some of these constraints pertain to compliance with the provisions of the NDDC Act of 2000, Public Procurement Act of 2007, funding and issues surrounding the ownership of the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan.
“There are also internal weaknesses which include weaknesses in management systems and procedures, corruption, defects in the organisational structure, disconnect between staff performance and reward system, weak interface between head office and state offices, poor corporate communication culture and in-fighting within the commission”, the communiqué stated.
The commission admitted its poor image and promised to tackle all the challenges in order to deliver the goods, the retreat held that it was determined to transform the NDDC in line with President Jonathan’s transformation agenda by working with all stakeholders on the platform of the Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD), to achieve better service delivery.
The resolution stressed that it will henceforth conduct the activities of the commission in a more transparent, honest, effective and responsive manner by keeping to due process.
“The leadership team and staff of NDDC hereby affirm their commitment to correcting the poor public image and perception of the commission by conducting its activities in a more transparent, honest, effective and responsive manner.
“This will be pursued through strong adherence to extant rules and regulations of Government, and achieved through continuous reporting of activities, consultation and stakeholder engagement.
“The leadership of the commission is determined to engage and consult with the relevant stakeholders to agree on the best ways to manage these constraints to facilitate better service delivery.
“The board and executive management of the commission are poised to work harmoniously to ensure that all the internal constraints preventing effective service delivery are addressed”, the communique stated.
– This Day