NDDC to focus on core mandate – Nsima Ekere

The newly appointed Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, has said that the agency can change the face of the Niger-Delta if its full potentials were harnessed. Ekere, who spoke to Daily Trust on Sunday, said under his leadership, the goals and mandate of the interventionist agency would be actualised. The new NDDC helmsman, who said he was already aware of the situation of things at the agency, maintained that he was fully prepared for the task ahead. He said already, he had started reaching out to potential local, national and international partners on ways of ensuring that the commission executes the duty for which it was set up.

He maintained that unlike in the past where the impact of some projects was felt only in certain states, he would work to drive regional economic development by focusing on projects that would link all Niger Delta states, to ensure maximum impact.

“The only way to effectively carry out the mandate of the NDDC is to ensure that all hands are on deck and that all stakeholders key into the project. We must work with state governments, development partners and non-governmental organisations. We cannot afford to work in isolation,” he said.

He noted that one of the problems he has observed is that in the past, there was lack of coordination between the various groups carrying out projects in the area and the agency, a development which according to him led to a disconnect between the people, their needs and the groups.

“If things are properly coordinated, there will be the assurance of continuity. A situation where NDDC will go into a state or local government and carry out projects without the knowledge of the relevant stakeholders like the state government and the local government chairmen is not the best, because what that means is that once the project is completed and the NDDC team moves out of that area, the people will be left on their own. There will be no one to monitor and ensure that they are being utilised as they should. The same thing will happen in the event that there is need for repairs. So, it is important to ensure that stakeholders key into every project. I believe very strongly that if things are done properly, the agitation in the region will reduce because more people will feel the impact of the government,” he said.