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Tag: NDDC

  • Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project in Bayelsa

    Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project in Bayelsa

    The House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to liaise with  NDDC  to investigate alleged mismanagement and abandonment of the Amassoma Community Shoreline Protection Project in Bayelsa.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Rep. Ambaiowei Ebikebina (PDP-Bayelsa), during plenary in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Recall that the Amassoma Reclamation/Shore Protection Project was awarded by the NNDC on June 10, 2019 to IDEKI Services Ltd.

    Moving the motion,  Ebikebina said that  Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa, is one the communities that had persistently endured flooding,  leading to the 2022 devastating flood in the area.

    This,  he said, sacked communities,  creating huge humanitarian crisis, adding that the flood situation was heightened by climatic changes,  making the situation increasingly unbearable.

    He said the people of Amassoma and other areas within Southern Ijaw federal constituency,  were at risk of facing another devastating flood and displacement from their homes.

    He said that only an immediate action would assuage and give comfort to the Southern Ijaw constituents and avert traumatic experiences of the past.

    Adopting the motion, the house said such shoreline project was a critical intervention project, adding that the previous companies must be held accountable for alleged waste of public funds.

    The house urged the  NDDC to re-mobilise a contractor to complete the Amassoma community shoreline protection project.

    The house also urged the contractor to engage competent consultants to supervise the project and ensure that it was executed diligently to completion before September.

    The house mandated the  NDDC to assess the project to ascertain the extent of work done by the numerous contractors since the project was first awarded.

  • Early detection key to cancer treatment, says NDDC Chairman, Chiedu Ebie

    Early detection key to cancer treatment, says NDDC Chairman, Chiedu Ebie

    The Chairman, Niger Delta Commission (NDDC), Barr. Chiedu Ebie has identified Cancer as a monster disease that has claimed the lives of millions of persons the World over including women and children.

    The NDDC Boss who said early screening and detection are vital to saving lives, was speaking while declaring open the 2024 World Cancer Day held at Ladyoak Cancer Care Center, Central Hospital Agbor on Wednesday.

    Barr Chiedu Ebie who was represented by his Special Assistant, Dr Godwin Edozie said in Africa alone, the incidence of various types of Cancer is disheartening, pointing out that in the year 2020 more than million new Cancer cases were recorded in Africa with about Seven hundred thousand deaths while about fifty percent of new Cancer cases in adults are due to Breast , Cervical, Prostrate and Liver Cancer amongst others but maintained that the Gilbert Hill Resources Ltd. is focusing on the Breast and Cervical Cancer.

    He further called for urgent measures to curb the cancer mortality in the region which was projected to reach about one million per year by 2030.

    According to him, the figure shows the rising trends in Breast and Cervical Cancer amongst Women and the Girl child.

    Ebie also stressed the importance of the early detection and intervention which he said is key to Cancer treatment and management.

    A keynote speaker at event, Dr Roy Maduka explained that Cervical Cancer is predominant in the less developed Nations, urging women to shun smoking and alcohol intake.

    The event which was put together by the Niger Delta Development Commission in collaboration with the Gilbert Hill Resources Limited, featured free Breast and Cervical Cancer screening for the participants, who were majorly Women.

  • NDDC’s uncompleted projects in tertiary institutions posing security threat – NANS

    NDDC’s uncompleted projects in tertiary institutions posing security threat – NANS

    National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has said that uncompleted projects by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in some tertiary institutions across the country are posing security threat.

    President of the NANS’ Senate, Mr Akinteye Babatunde, stated this in an interview in Ibadan on Friday.

    Babatunde, who noted that the uncompleted projects were scattered in various tertiary institutions across the country, said that they were meant to enhance the infrastructure of the institutions.

    He listed some of the institutions having the commission’s uncompleted projects to include: Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTCH), Okitipupa, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) and Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba (AAUA).

    Others, he said, were: Delta State University, Ambrose Ali University, Rivers State University and Abia State University.

    ”These institutions have become hosts to pressing issues that demand the urgent attention of authorities and the public.

    ”These projects, which are expected to be completed within a reasonable timeframe, have been languishing in a state of abandonment, creating unintended consequences, with severe implications for students’ safety,” he said.

    Babatunde noted that the well-intentioned efforts of the government to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria through students’ constituency had taken an unforeseen turn.

    “‘Buildings that should have been bustling centres of education and progress have become stagnant structures, serving as hideouts for criminals and posing significant security threats to the student community.

    ”What was initially a promise of development has now become a lingering issue, as these structures, intended to be completed within a year or a year and a half, have now stood uncompleted for an extended period.

    ”The lack of progress has allowed these buildings to become overgrown and inhabitable, creating an environment conducive for criminal activities,” he added.

    Babatunde, therefore, called on NDDC to ensure prompt completion of the abandoned buildings in the institutions across the country.

    He urged the commission to recognise the urgency of the situation and take immediate steps to rectify it, as the safety of students remained paramount.

  • Onaiwu seeks upward review of NDDC budget for Edo South Senatorial zone

    Onaiwu seeks upward review of NDDC budget for Edo South Senatorial zone

    Former Director-General of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu has made case for an upward review of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) proposed budget allocation to Edo South Senatorial zone.

    Onaiwu made the call in an interview in Abuja on Monday.

    According to him, the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had in its report indicated that 27 states of the federation including Edo in quarter three failed to attract any foreign investment in the third quarter of the year.

    “This only indicates that there was a slow rate of sustainable development in many of the states listed.

    “It is not out of order to request a review from our minster for a spread of the grants and allocations to the three senatorial zones in the state, especially the oil-producing zones.

    “Edo South Senatorial zone happens to be in the oil-producing area of the state, therefore, generating income for the state.

    “So, all we are asking for is for there to be fairness,” he said.

    Onaiwu also advised elected and appointed public office holder to use their positions to develop not just their zones but other zones as well.

    Onaiwu is the initiator of the North East Economic Summit.

    The 1st summit was organised in Bauchi aimed at addressing political and socio-economic issues on the front-burner of public discourse.

    Information and reports from the summit were used as advisory documents made available to both the federal and state governments in their war against insurgency.

  • Senate frowns at IOCs over funds owed NDDC

    Senate frowns at IOCs over funds owed NDDC

    Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Thursday in Abuja frowned at non-remittance of funds owed the Commission by International Oil Companies (IOCs).

    Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Asuquo Ekpenyong (APC-Cross River South Senatorial District) expressed the reservation at an interactive session with the management of the NDDC.

    “It seems as though the NDDC has a revenue issue; revenue issue in terms of the fact that IOCs and the Federal Government are not remitting what they ought to.

    “When you have a situation where you have a debt profile of over a trillion naira, you are no longer talking about sustainable development.

    “When you have a debt profile that high, contractors that have the capacity to deliver will run away from your contracts. We have to reverse the trend.

    “It is a contravention for any IOC or any Federal Government parastatal agency to refuse to adhere to the law establishing the Commission,’’ he said.

    He added that the Act of Parliament establishing the NDDC stipulated the contribution of the Federal Government and the IOCs to it for the purpose of developing the Niger Delta.

    The chairman said that the committee would summon IOCs that had refused to make remittances to the Commission.

    “We will nip the backward and negative trend that had been the story of the Commission over the last couple of years.

    “This is for conceiving, planning and implementation of projects and programmes for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

    “The Commission has performed creditably in certain areas, but has failed to perform in others.

    “Worthy of note is its performance over the course of the 9th Assembly. I feel there was a breakdown in relationship between the Commission and the 9th Assembly.

    “It is imperative at the beginning of this 10th Assembly that we start off on a good footing,’’ he said.

    On his part, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku said there was the need to offset the over N1 trillion debt owed the Commission.

    “We are looking at payment of N100 billion of the old debts each year so we can create a balance between payment of old debts and executing new projects,’’ he said.

    Ogbuku added that the NDDC was ready to partner with the Senate for a better working relationship.

    “We want to have the best working relationship because we know the National Assembly is there to complement what we are doing,’’ he said.

  • MOSIEND tasks NDDC MD, board on sustenance of open-door policies

    MOSIEND tasks NDDC MD, board on sustenance of open-door policies

    The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board to maintain an open-door policy and carry the people along.

    The President of MOSIEND,Mr Kennedy Tonjo-West, in a statement on Friday, said this would make developmental projects executed by the NDDC at all times reflect the dreams of the people of the region.

    Tanjo-West congratulated the NDDC  Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and the NDDC Board over their reappointment and inauguration,

    He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for considering them worthy to serve the people of the Niger Delta for another tenure.

    He said Ogbuku and his team had already laid the foundation for the growth and development of the Niger Delta.

    According to him, their reappointment is a plus to the Federal Government and the people of the region because they are there to consolidate on the achievements already in place.

    The MOSIEND president said that the NDDC boss and his team, in less than a year, executed the aims and objectives of the board with due diligence and nothing was done without the input of stakeholders of the regional.

    ”Thus they were able to achieve results and set the pace for development and accelerated growth.

    “We are convinced that they are all coming with their sleeves folded for action and to continue to change the narratives.”

    He said the NDDC team was very familiar with the yearnings of the people of the Niger Delta.

    He prayed God to grant the NDDC boss and his team all that is required to succeed in the tasks ahead.

    He said that MOSIEND will continue to support the commission whenever its advice or energy is needed to push the region forward.

    According to him, there is no better alternative for the Niger Delta than Ogbuku and the current members of the board whom, he said, have shown commitment to transform the region and its people.

    “We have no doubt about their capacity because we know that they will give us nothing less than the best.

    ”They’ve been tested and trusted and we are happy that Mr. President listened to our prayers to reappoint them to continue to serve the people.

    “We enjoin them to remain focused and steadfast in their collective resolve to transform the Niger Delta region better than they met it.

    “We also sue for cooperation, tolerance , tenacity, and team playing spirit – as they march side by side to pushing the region towards global centre stage for business, as well as safe delight and investment haven,” Tonjo-West said.

    He said, as MOSIEND, they are always open to anything and anybody that is poised to bringing development to the region and that they will continue to pray for the NDDC to succeed.

    He assured that MOSIEND would continue to play their role as stakeholders to make the region peaceful for growth and development and regional cohesion.

  • Niger Delta Minister puts new NDDC board on toes

    Niger Delta Minister puts new NDDC board on toes

    The Minister of Niger Delta, Mr Abubakar Momoh has warned members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board against underperformance during their tenure.

    Momoh gave the warning on Thursday in Port Harcourt, when he inaugurated the new NDDC board.

    The Director, Corporate Affairs of the commission, Mr Pius Ughakpoten, disclosed this in a statement he issued to newsmen.

    The statement quoted the minister to have also challenged the new board members on the need to change the narratives around the commission.

    Momoh said that President Bola Tinubu-led government had a template to measure performance and any board that failed to measure up would be shown the way out.

    “It is also necessary for you to know that this administration is quite different from others because there are going to be a lot of supervision and monitoring in order for us to deliver.

    “As you are aware, two weeks ago, myself, as a minister, and the Permanent Secretary signed the performance bond with the President.

    “And the performance bond that we signed have deliverables that are associated with the eight presidential priorities,” he said.

    The minister also said that the members of the board would be made to sign performance bond, like the ministers.

    He, however, said the bond signing would be done during a proposed retreat for the board members and management team.

    “So, it’s very, very important because the president is not joking with this and, from time to time, we are expected to present our reports.

    “And there is also a committee that will be set up by the president to monitor the performance of each ministry and agencies.

    “So, I think I want this one to be behind your mind so that as you start your work, you know exactly what is expected from you.

    “I want to also use this opportunity to appeal that this time around, we need to change the narratives,” he said.

    Momoh also charged the board to focus on the completion of abandoned projects that were scattered across the nine states of the region.

    He appealed to the new management to offset the commission’s debt to its contractors, especially the local contractors, with “very small amount, not more than N30 million”.

    He advised members of the board to take responsibility of developing the region, saying that they all hail from Niger Delta, hence the progress of the region should be their utmost concern.

    In a remark, the Chairman of the board, Mr Chinedu Ebie, called for collaboration among all the stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration for Nigeria and the region, in particular.

    Ebie said that the commission would collaborate with critical stakeholders in the region to achieve more in the development process.

    “We will execute legacy projects based on detailed needs assessment and seek strategic collaboration with opinion leaders, community leaders, professionals and development partners,” he said.

    He also said that the board would make effective communication with the stakeholders paramount in the course of their duties, in order to foster trust, restore transparency and promote accountability to the region and Nigeria at large.

    “We will look back at the vision and history of NDDC’s 23-year existential journey, aligning it with current realities and the objectives of the current administration.

    “This approach will illuminate the yearning needs of the people of the region, identify the commission’s challenges and proffer workable solutions.

    “We acknowledge the genuine endeavours of our predecessors, who, at various times, worked toward the development of the region through infrastructure and human capital development,” Ebie said.

    He solicited for the support and goodwill of stakeholders and Niger Delta people to enable them to usher in a new era of vitality, hope, peace and sustainable development for the region.

  • Clark asks Tinubu to remove Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    Clark asks Tinubu to remove Abia, Imo, Ondo from NDDC

    Chief Edwin Clark, the Leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has called on President Bola Tinubu to move for the amendment of the 2000 Act establishing the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    This, he said was to remove Non-Niger Delta Oil Producing States of Abia, Imo and Ondo from the nine States that make up the NDDC.

    The nine States are Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

    The elder statesman made the call at a news conference held in Abuja on Tuesday.

    According to Clark, in the first instance, the inclusion of the three states in the commission was a political aberration.

    He said: “If NDDC is to succeed, the three states should be severed from the act.

    “NDDC should remain the six original Niger Delta Coastal States. All other oil producing states should establish a relationship with the oil companies and Nigeria.

    “This is particularly now that oil has been found in other parts of Nigeria including Anambra which is already producing 0.9%, Bauchi, Gombe, Nasarawa, Kogi, and Lagos States.

    “They cannot therefore be part of NDDC.

    “The NDDC Establishment Act 2000 signed by the then Senate President Chuba Okadigbo outlined the functions of the nine states and who should be the Executive Management.

    “One should bear in mind that the addition of Ondo, Imo and Abia was a political aberration.

    “For me to demand for the removal of Non-Niger Delta Oil Producing States from NDDC is for NDDC to succeed.

    “The success of the NDDC is the success of Nigeria.

    “There was a reason why Imo, Abia and Ondo were brought into NDDC. Geographically they are not niger delta; they are not  coastal states. It was a political aberration.

    “The Federal Government should make arrangements to accommodate them as it is in NDCC same principle to be used not to disorganised the NDDC we want to succeed.”

    He likened the NDDC to a liability company which also has majority shareholders and minority shareholders.

    “A situation where a minority shareholder in a limited liability company would like to be a managing director of the company, it is unreasonable, improper and chaotic.
    “That is the main reason why I said no.

    “It is not possible for a minority shareholder of even 5 per cent to be the Chairman or Managing Director of the limited liability company.

    “It will be unfair and inequitable for a state that produces 1.02 per cent to produce managing director of the NDDC.

    “I know Nigeria as we are, the tendency will be to develop their own minority oil producing state to develop their area at the expense of the majority of oil producing states which incidentally happen to sum up to over 90 per cent of the oil.

    “It is therefore, unreasonable, provocative and selfish for Imo which produces only 1.02 per cent quantum of oil to demand removal of the Chief Executives of NDDC Board that has been confirmed by the Senate.”

  • NDDC: Tinubu writes HoR, seeks confirmation of new board

    NDDC: Tinubu writes HoR, seeks confirmation of new board

    President Bola Tinubu has requested the House of Representatives’ for the confirmation of nominees for the positions of Chairman and members of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The President’s rerequest was transmitted in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, a copy of which was sighted by journalists.

    In the letter President Tinubu explained that the request was in compliance with the provisions of section 2(2) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc.) Act.

    The Section states that the board and management of NDDC would “be appointed by the President and Commander-in-Chief-of the Armed Forces, subject to the confirmation of the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives.”

    The letter reads: “In compliance with the provisions of section 2(2) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (Establishment etc.) Act, I am pleased to present the underlisted seventeen (17) nominees for the consideration of the House of Representatives for the positions of Chairman and members of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

    He listed the names of the new NDDC Board members and Management to include Chiedu Ebie – Chairman (Delta State); Dr. Samuel Ogbuku – Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa); Boma Iyaye – Executive Director, Finance and Admin (Rivers); Victor Antai – Executive Director, Projects (Akwa-Ibom); Ifedayo Abegunde – Executive Director, Corporate Services (Ondo), and Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative (Bayelsa).

    Othere include Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative (Akwa Ibom); Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative (Delta); Tony Okocha – State Representative (Rivers); Hon. Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative (Edo); Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative (Imo); Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative (Ondo), Dimgba Eruba – State Representative (Abia), and Asu Oku Okang – State Representative (Cross River)

    Also, on the new Board are Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative (North-Central); Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative (North-East), and Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative (North West).

    “While I look forward to the usual expeditious consideration of the House, please accept, Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my highest consideration.

  • NDDC: Reps to screen Tinubu’s board nominees tomorrow

    NDDC: Reps to screen Tinubu’s board nominees tomorrow

    The House of Representatives will on Thursday, October 12, 2023, screen the presidential nominees to the Board and Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    This was sequel to a letter of request from the Presidency to the House of Representatives, which was read on the floor at plenary by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary.

    This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr. and Chairman Committee on NDDC, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, on Tuesday and made available to journalists.

    The statement reads as follows:

    “The nominees as contained in the letter from the president are as follows:

    “Mr. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman (Delta); Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director/CEO (Bayelsa); Mr. Boma Iyaye, ED, Finance & Admin (Rivers); Mr. Victor Antai, ED, Projects (Akwa Ibom); Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, ED, Corporate Services (Ondo); Senator Dimaro Denyanbofa (Bayelsa); Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono (Akwa Ibom); Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya (Delta); Chief Tony Okocha State (Rivers); and Hon. Patrick Aisowieren (Edo).

    “Others are Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu State (Imo); Hon. Otitio Atikase (Ondo); Chief Dimgba Eruba (Abia); Rt. Hon Orok Otu Duke (Cross River); Hon. Nick Wende (North Central); Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak (North East); and Senator Dr. Ibrahim Gobir (North West)”.

    “It would be recalled that the Senate screened and cleared the nominees on October 4, 2023. This move by the House complements the legislative action by the Senate, and is pursuant of Sections 2 (2) (a) of the NDDC Act (2000), which prescribes that the presidential nominees must be screened and approved by the Senate in consultation with the House of Representatives.

    “The House is thus working in concert with the Senate to fulfill the provisions of the extant law”.

    TheNewsGuru.com recalls the House on Tuesday at plenary set up an ad-hoc committee to conduct the screening of the nominees, constituted of the following:

    Hon. Julius Ihonvbere (House Leader), Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Halims (Deputy Leader), Hon. Kingsley Chinda (Minority Leader), Hon. Ali Isa (Deputy Minority Leader), Hon Usman Bello Kumo (Chief Whip), Hon. Oriyomi Onanuga (Deputy Chief Whip), Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (Chairperson, House Committee on NDDC) and Hon. Jafaru Leko (Deputy Chairman, House Committee on NDDC).