Niger Delta Stakeholders have called for immediate re-activation of Niger Delta Development Commission(NDDC) Advisory Committee for development of the member states.
In a communique issued at the end of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the stakeholders agreed that all funds due to the NDDC from statutory sources (including the Federal Government and ecological fund), including outstanding, should be recovered by the commission.
which took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit, which brought together stakeholders to deliberate on issues affecting the region and its development, with a view to further transform it, agreed that all funds due and outstanding to the NDDC from statutory sources (including the Federal Government and ecological fund) be vigorously pursued and recovered.
The Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama emphasised on the significance of improved synergy between the NDDC and the Advisory Committee for enhanced efficiency and activate all organs provided for in the Act that established the commission.
It was also discussed that circumstances that lead to duplication of projects should be avoided and efforts should be made in ensuring robust consultation between the NDDC and the nine member states in project implementation.
The stakeholders said: “There is urgent need to remove the NDDC from the TSA Policy, as it limits the Commission from fully achieving its interventionist mandate.
“That the Federal Government should strictly adhere to the tenure provisions of the NDDC Act and avoid the incessant dissolution of Boards of the Commission and the aberrant issue of Interim Managements to run the affairs of the Commission.
“Also, the Commission should be insulated from Political interference which puts undue pressure on the leadership of the Commission.
“Additional sources of funding for the NDDC such as at least 3 percent of VAT revenue should be legislated.”
It was also agreed that funding the implementation of the regional development strategy should be done through three sources viz: Traditional budget sources; Public Private Partnerships; Development Finance.
All stakeholders supported initiation of the Niger Delta Development Bank, NDDB, to drive the mobilisation of development finance from local and global sources should be given priority.
They said: “Loans should be given to SMEs within the region to drive economic and industrial growth.”
The communique stated: “There is urgent need to complete the East-West Road which was awarded nearly twenty years ago, to ease transportation across the region.
“Proper planning is crucial to any development and therefore the review of the Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan, appropriate data gathering was essential to any realistic development plan. There must be quantitative and qualitative input from key stakeholders in preparing or reviewing the Masterplan.”
“The region’s educational curriculum should be reviewed and designed to meet 21st century needs. Technical and vocational training must be given priority by creating Technical/Vocational training hubs. There should be improved funding of the region’s educational system.
I“On healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, there should be sufficient funding of rural and community health centres and the training and retraining of the personnel to man them. The private sector should be engaged more in partnerships in these areas.”
The stakeholders made a case for women and youths, calling for more representation of women in all sectors of the region’s economy, adding that there should be programmes for Persons Living with Disability.
The communique posited: “On sports, tourism, culture and hospitality, there is need for sustained investment and capacity building in the region’s Entertainment and creative industries. Sports development in areas where the region has comparative advantage such as swimming and wrestling should be given serious attention. There is need to have a special gathering for the creative industry.”