NDDC, Core mandate and Sen Akpabio’s uncommon transformation
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is a Federal Government Agency established in 2000 by President Olusegun Obasanjo with the sole mandate of developing the Oil-rich Niger Delta Region of Nigeria through:
1. Policy Formulation:
One of the core mandates of Niger Delta Development Commission was formulation of policies and guidelines for the development of the Niger Delta area.
2. Conception and Planning:
Conception, planning and implementation in accordance with set rules and regulations of projects and programs for sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications.
3. Survey
Surveying the Niger Delta in order to ascertain measures necessary to promote the physical and socio-economic development.
4. Preparation of master plan:
Preparing master plans and schemes designed to promote the physical development of the Niger Delta region and the estimation of the member States of the Commission.
5. Policy Implementation:
Implementation of all the measures approved for the development of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and the States of the Commission.
6. Identifying Factors inhibiting Development:
Identify factors inhibiting the development of the Niger Delta region and assisting the member States in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources of Niger Delta region.
7. Assessment and Report:
Assessing and reporting on any project being funded or carried out in the region by oil and gas companies and any other company, including non-governmental organizations, as well as ensuing the funds released for such projects are properly utilized.
8. Tracking:
Tackling ecological and environmental problems that arise from the exploration of oil mineral in the Niger Delta region, and advising the Federal Government and the member States on the prevention and control of oil spillages, gas flaring and environment pollution.
9. Liaise with Oil Companies:
Liaising with the various oil mineral and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollutions, prevention and control.
10. Execution
Executing such other works and performing such other functions which in the option of the Commission are required for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region and its people.
These core and other functions made President Umaru Yar’Adua announced the formation of a Niger Delta Ministry in September 2008, with the NDDC to become a parastatal under the Ministry.
Looking back both the Commission and the Ministry from 2000 and 2008 to 2019 respectively, and the present NDDC, we can vehemently attest to the fact that Sen Godswill Akpabio has stand out to volunteer time, energy, skill and resources to expose the monumental corruption enduring at the NDDC, and projecting the Commission to achieving its set goals.
