PUNCH NEWS

MINISTER of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has said the Niger Delta regional development master plan and the Niger Delta Action Plan will be harmonised to produce a road map for development in the oil and gas rich area.

Akpabio, who stated this at the commission’s permanent headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital on Sunday, stressed the need for collaboration and synergy in the effort to develop the region.

The commission in a statement on Sunday by its Director, Corporate Affairs,  Charles Odili on Sunday, said the minister regretted that the NDDC had not lived up to expectations after it was established many years ago.

“Whether we like it or not, this child (NDDC) has not grown well in 19 years. It could have done better. Perhaps, we lost track of the developmental plan of the Niger Delta region,” he observed.

Akpabio, however, lauded the acting Managing of the NDDC and members of the Interim Management Committee for doing a good job in delivering the new office complex, which he described as “a good story for the NDDC.”