Former President of Nigeria, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has warned politicians not to over-stretch the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Jonathan stated that this could adversely affect the execution of projects and retard development in the Niger Delta region.
He explained that as an interventionist agency for the oil-producing states, the NDDC holds the mandate of bringing development closer to the people.
The erstwhile president said the Commission was a child of necessity with a strategic role to improve the environment and the livelihood of the people of the region.
He stated this during a 3-day Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 organized by NDDC in Port Harcourt on Friday.
He recalled that the first leadership of the NDDC led by Onyeama Ugochukwu as MD and Chief Timi Alaibe as the executive director of finance and administration, EDFA, showed some clear leadership and that the people of Niger Delta began to see some clear direction.
However, Jonathan lamented that after that leadership, the activities of the Commission began to slow down, and its impact was not well noticed until the current leadership.
He said, “But with the present leadership, people from the Niger Delta have seen some light. Having listened to the conversation of this summit from Wednesday interrogating issues, I was impressed that things have taken a different look in the Niger Delta. It shows clearly that the current leadership intends to move NDDC to a proper direction.
“I will request for us who are the political class not to over stretch the NDDC so that they can perform. I am happy that Godswill Akpabio is here. He is the most senior politician. He has to work with others so that NDDC is not under too much of stress. I know what I am talking about.”
Jonathan expressed delight over the present management of NDDC, adding that one of the greatest problems of the NDDC is the issue of abandoned projects.
“Infrastructure projects that were done by NDDC and were abandoned have become a curse. NDDC must have a way of managing its infrastructure when completed,” he added.
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