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Send Relief Materials To Flood Victims In N’Delta, NDDC, MNDA Urged
A pro-development Niger Delta group, the Niger Delta Network has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to make available relief materials for flood victims in the region.
In a communique issued at its enlarged meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, last Sunday, and signed by its Acting Secretary General and Director of Public Communications, Barrister Eric Igbinokpogie and Dr. John Douglas, respectively, the group said that as an interventionist agency and its supervising government agency, both the NDDC and MNDA, respectively should ensure the setting up of proper camps for internally displaced persons.
The meeting, which deliberated on the state of the region and effort on the part of government at ameliorating the sufferings of the people of the Niger Delta, also had the group urging critical stakeholders in the region to give maximum support and cooperation to the NDDC and its supervising ministry towards the speedy actualisation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision for the region.
The group through the communique, urged the president to constitute without further delay, a substantive board of the NDDC in accordance with its enabling Act, while also appreciating him for “his determination to develop the Niger Delta region”.
The communique hinted that findings done through its recent assessment tours to NDDC projects have revealed a number of projects that it said could be completed within the remaining days of the Buhari administration, adding that those projects, when completed, would positively impact the economy of the region and its citizens.
While congratulating Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua on his recent appointment as acting managing director of NDDC, the group in the communique also appreciated Buhari for appointing what it termed “a seasoned technocrat” to oversee the affairs of the commission, describing the appointment as a step in the right direction towards the eventual constitution of a substantive board for the commission.
While praying God to grant him wisdom and enablement to have a smooth sail in the new responsibility and task ahead, the group also urge him to know it is time to positively change the story of the Niger Delta region by working harmoniously with critical stakeholders in the region.
The group further commended the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Umana Okon Umana, for his swift implementation of the President’s directive as it concerns the reform of the commission, adding that the minister’s swift responses to, and implementation of the presidency’s developmental actions towards the region, have proven his commitment towards the development of the region.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his resolve to remain steadfast in delivering development projects across the state, declaring that political distractions will not derail his administration’s commitment to the people.
The governor gave the assurance last Wednesday, while inspecting the ongoing rehabilitation of major roads within the old Port Harcourt Township, including the Creek Road Market project.
Apparently reacting to the prevailing political atmosphere, Fubara insisted that his priority remains governance and service delivery, not political pressures.
“I have promised our people that no matter the situation, we will not lose focus on governance,” he said.
“They entrusted us with leadership, and the least we owe them is confidence, stability and the assurance that governance will continue strongly.” he added.
Accompanied by Engineer Michel Issa of Setraco Nigeria Limited, Fubara toured several completed and ongoing roadworks, inspecting rehabilitated streets around Moore House before concluding the exercise at the Creek Road Market.
Speaking on the market redevelopment, the governor described the project as central to the revival of the old Port Harcourt township, noting that the modernisation of the facility would restore its lost glory and improve commercial activities in the area.
He explained that the new market was designed to accommodate traders currently operating on the roads, a situation he said contributes to traffic congestion and the rapid deterioration of road infrastructure along Creek Road.
“What are we trying to do? You can see the difficulty in driving through Creek Road because we don’t have proper settlement for marketers,” Fubara said, adding, “If we fix this market, those trading on the streets will move inside.”
According to him, relocating traders into the market will make it easier to properly rehabilitate the roads and preserve their structural integrity, while also enhancing the aesthetics of the township
On the road network, the governor disclosed that the rehabilitation works span from Borokiri through all major streets in the old township, stressing that the approach is holistic and aimed at delivering lasting infrastructure upgrade.
