The partnership for sustainable development was held recently in PH, Rivers State capital between 30th November to 1 of December, 2015.
The forum which comprises of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Governments of the Nine (9) States of the Niger Delta region of Nigeria and their related agencies, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) amongst others was graced by participants from the Public, Oil as well as private sectors.
The MD/CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission Sir (Barr.) Dan Abia Bassey who is the Chief Host in his welcome address thanked the participants for finding out time to attend the occasion.
The MD re-iterated his members on the current global focus on sustainable development, which is, “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. The need for sustainable development which offers a framework to generate economic growth, achieve social justice, exercise environmental stewardship and strengthen governance amongst others was also told to participants.
Participants were reminded of the need for partnership between all tiers of Government stake-holders in the Oil and Gas sector, Government Agencies, Private Sector and Well Meaning Nigerians in order to achieve the sustainable development goals as provided by the Niger Delta Regional Development Master Plan (NDRDMPJ as well as other development instruments like the National Vision 20:20 and the Global Millennium Goal (MDGsJ which is aimed at the Development of the people of the Niger Delta region.
The theme of the programme: Re-strategizing Development Concepts in the Niger Delta Region to provide for Post Oil Wealth Socio-economic Sustainability.
Barr. Abia further disclosed that the present Executive Management of NDDC since assumption of duties on the 1st of December 2013 after its inauguration along with the 4th Governing Board on 16th December, 2013, until the dissolution of the Board on the 16th of July 2015, worked closely with the board upon assumption of duties to review the activities of the commission, identify lapses, set targets, fast track completion of stalled projects and reach out to critical stakeholders in order to achieve the mandate of the commission.
As a result of these collaboration effort, the commission was able to fast track the completion of stalled projects, initiate and complete a number of impactful programmes in Agriculture, Health and Social Service Delivery as well as youth and Women Empowerment Programme which contributed to the maintenance of Peace / Stability in the Niger Delta Region.
He said that within the last two years, the commission has completed legacy projects such as the Model University Hostel Project in eight (8) Universities,, each made up of 522 bed-spaces with furnishings, completion of a four-floor model State Office in Rivers State among others. The Ogba/Nembe Road Project has also reached 90% completion.
The Chairman/Chief Executive highlighted some of the challenges facing the commission include funding of the commission, climatic conditions among others. He expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari which according to him granted the commission audience just two (2) months on assumption of office.###
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