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The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has asked to be removed from the Treasury Single Account policy of the Federal government to enable it render optimal service in the development of the Niger Delta region.
Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who made the call on Friday at the Board and Management Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, noted that despite the enormous benefits of TSA, it does not give the commission the opportunity to address emerging and urgent development needs in the region.
In his statement entitled, “A New Paradigm for Niger Delta Development: Balancing Transparency with Agility,” Ogbuku noted that for NDDC to actualize the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, it must take a proactive and radical steps in ensuring development and economic well-being of the people noting that such would be actualized through financial autonomy and making timely and flexible financial decisions.
He said, “We advocate the removal of the NDDC from operating under the TSA framework due to the Commission’s unique characteristics and the potential benefits of increased autonomy in financial management.
“Removal from the TSA framework could expedite the approval and disbursement processes, allowing the NDDC to implement projects more efficiently and meet the urgent development requirements of the region.
“The NDDC is tasked with addressing specific and urgent development needs in the Niger Delta region. Timely and flexible financial decision-making is crucial to respond effectively to dynamic regional challenges.”
While seeking collaboration with the federal government, the MD urged it to give the commission the flexibility to operate within a responsible, tailored financial framework saying, “we will demonstrably deliver results faster and more efficiently than ever before.”
In his remarks, Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh harped on the need for a Bond between the Chairman of the Commission and the Ministry based on the assigned deliverables to the NDDC.
He also advised the Commission to engage more with the various State Governments and Communities in deciding where to site projects, adding that “this will make you earn their trust and buy-in and thus, results in you making more impact, and avoiding duplication of projects.”
The Chairman of the NDDC board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said the gathering was a reflection of President Tinubu’s desire to have the Niger Delta transformed into a zone of peace and development.
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