The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has urged the Federal Government to allow its current board to complete its tenure.
The Commission also urged the government to ensure continuity in succeeding boards for sustainability of projects.
This was part of the communique issued at the end of the NDDC board and Management Retreat with the theme, ‘Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development’, held at Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, over the weekend.
NDDC noted that the frequent changes in the Governing Board of the Commission have largely affected project execution and delivery in the Niger Delta region.
The communique also harped on the need for proper synergy, collaboration and coordinating framework between the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, state governments in the region, the NDDC and development partners.
It also acknowledged the existence of political pressure on the operations of NDDC and urged the Board and Management of the Commission to develop the political will to manage the situation.
Parts of the communique read: “The Federal Government should ensure that the current Board completes its tenure and that there is continuity in succeeding Boards to ensure sustainability of the Commission’s projects.
“The Commission should establish clear, measurable, achievable, relevant and time bound (SMART) goals that the Commission will demonstrably commit to and deliver upon, fostering increased public trust.
“The leadership of the Commission need to consistently demonstrate their commitment to ethical principles, through their decisions and behavior.
Thereafter, a Performance Bond was signed between the Ministry of Niger Delta Development and the NDDC.”