NDDC to review regional development masterplan
By Dennis Udoma, Uyo
The Niger -Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is set to review and update its already existing regional development masterplan for the development of the oil rich Niger-Delta.
The decision was taken at the just concluded Board and Management Retreat held at Four Points By Sheraton, Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State at the weekend with a theme, “Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development”.
The Commission, in a communique issued to newsmen at the end of the retreat yesterday (Saturday) said, the reviewed and updating of the Niger Delta regional development masterplan remains a crucial framework for guiding and implementing development initiatives in the region; as there can be no sustainable development without developmental plans.
They also lamented the frequent changes in the Governing Board of the Commission saying, this largely accounted for the challenges in project execution and delivery in the development of the region.
It called on the Federal Government to ensure that, the current Board completes its tenure and there should be continuity in succeeding Boards to ensure sustainability of the Commission’s projects.
Other resolutions reached at the retreat were; “that there is need for proper synergy, collaboration and coordinating framework between the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, State Governments in the regions, the NDDC and development partners.
‘That procurement is at the heart of governance and one of the government activities most vulnerable to corruption. Therefore, the Board and Management of the NDDC must effectively discharge their responsibility to manage the procurement process involving all stakeholders, without sacrificing the core objectives as provided under the Procurement Act.
“There is the need for the urgent release of all outstanding statutory contributions of the Federal Government to the NDDC fund, as the non-release of these funds has significantly hampered the ability of the Commission to deliver on its mandate.
“That in view of the peculiar construction window of the Niger Delta region, there is the need for some form of financial autonomy for the NDDC outside the Treasury Single Account (TSA) regime. This is as part of the process of getting the Commission take advantage of traditional credit sources in completing its projects and deliver real impact and sustainable development to the longsuffering people of the region.
‘That there is need for the Board and Management to acquaint themselves with relevant rules, in order to effectively discharge the responsibilities imposed under extant laws. Consequently, the NDDC needs to ensure that its projects and programmes are procured in line with extant rules and laws.
“The Managing Director/CEO, as the chief accounting officer of the Commission remains responsible for all procurement processes. MD/CEO is encouraged to co-opt the Executive Directors and Heads of Departments during the Procurement planning for the Commission. Whilst these officials will offer useful recommendations, the ultimate responsibility lies with the MD/CEO.
“The Commission should establish clear, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound (SMART) goals that, the Commission will demonstrably commit to and deliver upon, fostering increased public trust.
“The leadership of the Commission need to consistently demonstrate their commitment to ethical principles, through their decisions and behavior.
“There is need for the development of key governance policies and procedures to promote clarity of roles and minimize discord on the Board, as well as defined reporting framework covering key stakeholders and transparency.
‘The main purpose of all reforms must be the improvement of the lives of the people. Reforms tailored to the local context have a better chance of success. Therefore, the NDDC must deploy creativity and innovation to drive reforms and development in the region.
While chatting a new course for improved NDDC, participants at the retreat said, there was need for intentional partnerships and conflict management imperatives to secure value, stakeholders’ engagement and management must be strategic and improved continuously.
According to them, “there is need for strategic communication of the value added by the NDDC to its stakeholders, to change the negative perception about the Commission”.
On the existence of political pressure on the operations of the Commission, they suggested that, there was need for the Board and Management of the Commission to develop the political will to manage the pressure, as Performance Bond was signed between the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the NDDC.
Those who also graced the event were; members of the academia, Niger-Delta stakeholders, resource persons, the political class, former Chairmen and Managing Directors of the Commission amongst others.
