From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukayode, has commended the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Samuel Ogbuku for good governance, transparency and accountability.
Olukayode gave the commendation white speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC’s ultra modern Bayelsa State Office in Yenagoa.
He revealed that the commission has recovered funds that have been used to commission several projects in the Niger Delta region and expressed satisfaction with the NDDC’s institutional and policy transformation.
The EFCC Chairman noted that the transformation in the commission is a testament to the NDDC’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in its operations, stating that the commission’s recovery of funds had enabled the NDDC to commission several projects in the region.
” I’ve come to identify with good governance, accountability, transparency, and judicious use of resources… I congratulate the Governor that in the MD of NDDC, you have a proud son of the sovereign, who we are proud of, and we want to identify with his vision for NDDC.” -Olanipekun Olukayode, added.
Also speaking,NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, explained that the office building was named after Chief Melford Okilo, a pioneer senator and governor of Rivers State, due to his vision and leadership while in the Senate.
“The reason why we named this building after Chief Melford Okilo is because of his vision and leadership while in the Senate,” he said. “He was one of those who drove the process of establishing NDDC, and we’re proud to honor his legacy with this beautiful building.”
Chief Ogbuku thanked the Bayelsa State Government for its partnership with NDDC, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in achieving development goals.
” We’ve always said that NDDC is not a government, but an interventionist agency of the federal government, and we can always achieve more if we partner with the state government,” he said.
In his speech, the Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, commended NDDC for acquiring the office building, which he said would enhance the Commission’s operations in the state.
He also appreciated the federal government for awarding the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road project, which he said would boost economic development in the state. “This road will open up our marine resources and bring much-needed development to our state,” he stated.
The Minister of Regional Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, praised NDDC for its efforts in implementing projects that benefit the people of the region.
He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to partnering with state governments to drive development in the Niger Delta. “We will continue to support NDDC’s efforts to develop the region,” he said.
