… Charges Minister on Probity, Accountability
Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has called for synchronization of development plan between federal and state governments to ensure coordinated development of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking to journalists, during the 5th Meeting of the National Council on Niger Delta (NCND), held recently at Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, Uyo, the National Chairman of PANDEF, Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, said to achieve development objectives for the region, both governments, their agencies and the stakeholders must collaborate.
“There should be a synchronization of development of the Niger Delta with the States, NDDC and the Niger Delta Ministry. There should be synchronization of activities so that there is no duplication and waste of resources. The state government, NDDC and Niger Delta Ministry should know their responsibilities to the development of the region, but they should all collaborate to ensure this development is properly coordinated”.
Essien lauded President Mohammed Buhari for appointing an illustrious son of Akwa Ibom State to man the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, saddled with enormous and strategic responsibility of overseeing development in the region and charged the minister to instill probity and accountability in NDDC.
“We congratulate Mr. Umana Okon Umana on his appointment as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs. He is our son. He is a very versed administrator. I believe he will deploy his wealth of experience in the Niger Delta Ministry and the NDDC, which he supervises to ensure that there is probity, accountability and development in the Niger Delta”.
Meanwhile, the former national lawmaker described some projects abandoned by NDDC as ‘political projects’ which may never be completed, saying “most of those projects were political projects, they were not intended for completion because how do you award jobs and you do not fund them. Or, once you give the mobilization, that’s the end of the project. So, most of those projects were designed for failure”.
Nevertheless, in order to achieve results, the educationist averred that the NDDC should take a holistic approach in revisiting these abandoned projects.
” It needs a well coordinated management that’s why we keep calling on President Buhari to set up the board of NDDC. There is no need of going from one interim to the other. So, the president should set up a board of credible people who will sit and manage the NDDC properly.” He said.
