Posted by By Hector Igbikiowubo on
The Presidential Monitoring Committee set up to keep an eye on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has declared that the interventionist agency has no phantom projects, contrary to allegations and speculations.
The Presidential Monitoring Committee set up to keep an eye on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has declared that the interventionist agency has no phantom projects, contrary to allegations and speculations.
Chairman of the Presidential Monitoring Committee, Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebu, made the assertion Thursday in Port Harcourt while addressing members of the NDDC Board and top management during a visit to the Commission's corporate headquarters, at the end of their monitoring exercise.
In a statement released recently, Mr. Anietie Usen, the Commission's Head of Corporate Affairs disclosed that Ambassador Ekpebu was accompanied by the nine other members of the Committee.
'We have not found any ghost projects. We have found all the projects reflected in the NDDC records," Ambassador Ekpebu said.
Established under the NDDC Act, the Presidential Monitoring Committee is authorized to monitor the management of the Commission's funds and the implementation of its projects.
Describing the NDDC as a crucial instrument for peace and development in the Niger Delta, the Committee also commended the Commission for its efficient use of the limited resources available to it. Ekpebu said, 'With limited resources NDDC is engaged in virtually every aspect of development in the Niger Delta."
However, the Presidential Monitoring Committee decried NDDC's involvement in projects that ought to be executed by States and Local Governments. 'We feel this is not correct. We feel NDDC should wind up what it is doing in some areas and let the States and Local Government Areas handle them," said Ekpebu.
The Committee suggested that the NDDC should limit itself to the construction of major roads and bridges, dredging of waterways, reclamation of flood-free land for agriculture, industries and habitation. According to Ekpebu, it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to work hand-in-hand with the NDDC in the execution of these kinds of major projects.
He said that once this kind of demarcation is made, NDDC would be more effective.
The Presidential Monitoring Committee also urged the NDDC to get more involved in the development of high-level manpower especially for the oil and gas industry through the award of 'automatic scholarships to Niger Delta indigenes so as to give them higher levels of competence to enable them compete for higher level jobs in the petroleum industry."
The Presidential Monitoring Committee pledged that in carrying out its watchdog function, it will not witch hunt anyone. Its Chairman said: 'We are products of the NDDC Act and we intend to work for peace and development in the Niger Delta. Through our collaboration the work of the NDDC will be enhanced."
Earlier, the Chairman of the NDDC, Ambassador Sam Edem stated that the Commission's new focus is youth development and empowerment. He said the NDDC plans to generate at least 200,000 jobs for youths across the Niger Delta region through various programmes, such as massive cultivation of cassava.
Edem urged the Presidential Monitoring Committee to make a case for increased funding of the NDDC and the utilization by the NDDC member states of their 13 per cent derivation funds in oil producing areas.
Noting that the NDDC has become so omnibus that every problem in its member states is referred to it, Edem said the Commission is willing to develop the Niger Delta but the resources are not sufficient. 'There is need for the State governments to commit 13 per cent of the 13 per cent derivation funds to the affected areas in the states."
The NDDC Chairman promised that the Commission would partner with the Presidential Monitoring Committee to ensure that the goals of the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan are attained."