PUNCH

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Usani Uguru Usani, has urged the new management of the Niger Delta Development Commission to do more for the development of the region.

Usani made the call at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he paid a working visit to the Commission.

He was accompanied by his Minister of State, Prof Claudius Daramola, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aminu Aliyu-Bisalla, and other directors of the supervising ministry.

Usani stated that the current NDDC management, being an interim one, was expected to do more for the people of the Niger Delta than a regular board.

He said, “We expect every functionary and staff member of the commission to appreciate this fact and put up the very best efforts in the performance of their duties.

“As brief as this management may be, we are urging you to put in your best. There is a lot that can be achieved, especially as the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari continues for the next four years.”

Usani emphasised that the policy of the Buhari-led administration was that there would be nothing like abandoned projects.

“That is why you can see that many of the projects that started 20-30 years ago, especially infrastructure, are still being reviewed and executed,” he added.

He urged the NDDC management and staff to recognise the important and special place they occupy in the development of Niger Delta and in the bigger economic picture of Nigeria.

“I will be pleased to have a peaceful environment for the period you will be in charge of affairs in the Commission,” he said.

Earlier, the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Prof Nelson Brambaifa, said in the absence of the Commission’s board of directors, the minister would take over as the supervising authority.

“It is only fair and wise that he comes once in a while to see how we are doing and to see whether we are following laid down procedures,” Brambaifa added.