The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says the current management has transformed and digitized its processes to ensure better service delivery for the Niger Delta region.

Addressing a delegation from the National Council on Establishment during a courtesy visit at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku stated that the commission was going paperless by digitisation of its transactions, including procurement processes.

The Managing Director, represented by Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, told the delegation which included the Heads of Service of State Governments across the country, that the change in the Commission had earned it public trust.

On project delivery, the NDDC boss, stated that over 600 kilometers of roads had been completed in the last three years in addition to bridges in parts of the region, while one of the longest bridges in the country, the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge would soon be completed and inaugurated.

While giving assurance of collaboration between NDDC and governors of mandate states that gave rise to notable projects across the region, Ogbuku noted that the commission had enjoyed fruitful partnership with development partners such as Shell, NLNG and Chevron to execute landmark projects that had positive impact on the people.

He highlighted the contributions of the NDDC in human capital development, noting that the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme was revitalised and expanded to include local post graduate scholarship, accommodating 600 hundred additional beneficiaries in the Niger Delta Region.

The NDDC boss man stated that over six billion Naira had been injected into small scale business enterprises in the region through the establishment of Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to facilitate economic growth and poverty reduction.

Ogbuku stated that a lot has been achieved in the health sector such as building and equipping of medical centers, in addition to Free Medical outreaches to cater for the healthcare needs of the region.

The NDDC Managing Director explained that oil production was in the region over 800 barrels per day when the present leadership took over, but through collaboration with security agencies and intervention activities that engaged the youths, oil theft reduced , paving way for increased oil production to about 1.4 million barrels per day output.

Ogbuku also highlighted the operation Light up the Niger Delta programme through solar street lights that had been successful, illuminating the communities and reducing insecurity, theft and other criminal acts in the region.

Speaking earlier, the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, commended the NDDC digitization initiative, stating that it was in line with the Federal Civil Service directive that Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs should go paperless by December.

The Head of Civil Service, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Ishiayaku Muhammed, maintained that there was need for collaboration with the Commission because all policies of the Federal Government affects the interventionist agency.

She stressed the importance of addressing staff welfare, training and capacity building among to ensure growth in public service.

Walson-Jack applauded NDDC for initiatives and reform policies that the Commission had taken in recent times to enhance development in the Niger Delta Region.

•PHOTO: NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye (middle), presenting a souvenir to the Head of Service, Rivers State, Mrs Nyingi Brown (left), during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the National Council on Establishment at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt. With them is the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies Office, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Ishiyaku Mohammed (right).

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