• Search for:
19Apr
Niger Delta: Akpabio calls for improved funding of NDDC

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has called for improved funding for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to enhance the infrastructural development of the region. Akpabio made the call in his keynote address during the NDDC strategic capacity building workshop on Friday in Uyo.

He said the funding system was poor because budgetary provisions for the commission were staggered and did not come as and when due. The minister who called for an amendment of the laws establishing the agency should the need arise, added that he was determined to leave the commission better than he met it.

“The commission is broke because the funding system is poor. We must leave the NDDC better than we found it even if it means that the lawmakers have to tinker with the law. “The current funding patterns and budgeting processes must embrace good governance to achieve the best we can, while asking for more funds to carry out more sustainable projects and programmes,” Akpabio said.

The minister said corruption, weak political and institutional governance, transparency and lack of proper consultation and engagement with the communities and state governments among others, were challenges confronting the commission. “Corruption is one of the greatest problems of the Nigerian society and it also finds its ugly and devastating effects in all sectors of the polity, including the NDDC.

“The level of corruption engulfed all the sectors including government, parastatals, ministries, government officials and community leaders even the youth leaders and the NDDC is not left out. “Weak political and institutional governance in the Niger Delta has led to the misuse of public resources, poor service delivery and poor enforcement of the law. “The consequence has been the lingering restiveness, breakdown of trust, abuse and misuse of power between officials and the communities, embezzlement and attendant violence,” he said.

In his welcome address, the Interim Administrator/Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa, said the retreat was in furtherance of consultation with its stakeholders for speedy development of the region. Akwa said that the NDDC was done with its unsavoury past, stressing that continuous consultation and collaboration for effective development were the focus of the commission. He urged all stakeholders and the Niger Delta to join hands for the benefit of the people.
24Mar
Ogoni CleanUp: FG flag-off of water projects in Ogoniland

As part of the key emergency measures recommended by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in the Cleanup of Ogoniland, the Federal Government has flagged off key water projects in Ogoniland to provide potable water to the impacted communities.

The ongoing cleanup efforts is being undertaken by the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), under the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Recall, that HYPREP had carried out a survey of drinking water sources across the four Local Government Areas of Ogoniland. A total of 600 water samples was collected and analysed from 47 impacted communities across the four (4) LGAs – Eleme, Gokana, Tai and Khana.

HYPREP also commenced the process for the construction of new comprehensive water schemes and rehabilitation of existing ones in these communities.

The event, which was well attended by leaders from the host communities, representatives from UNEP, Shell Nigeria and other stakeholders in the Niger Delta region, is a milestone in the ongoing cleanup of Ogoniland.

At the flag-off of the water projects in Ogoni, the Officer Overseeing the Project Coordinating Office (PCO), HYPREP, Prof. Phillip Shekwolo, called on Ogoni people to support the laudable agenda of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the cleanup of Ogoniland.

Shekwolo also commended the efforts of the Minister of Environment, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood, in accelerating the contract approval process.

Recall that the Minister had paid a courtesy visit to the Palace of HRH Barile Y. Deebom, Mene Ken-Khana Kingdom last week, where he stated that eight additional water projects will soon commence in Ogoni. The Minister also launched the 5,000 NEEDS Assessment forms for the livelihood programme.