NDDC Considers Heavy Project For Odi, As Diri Hails Ogbuku

Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Sam Ogbuku on Monday in Yenagoa, spoke on plans by the commission to undertake the Odi-Troafani Road which was destroyed by flood. It came just as the governor, Senator Douye Diri hailed the managing director for his commitment to make a difference as helmsman of the commission.

This happened when Ogbuku led his team on a visit to Diri, on the sidelines of the commission’s tour of projects sites in the state. Last Saturday, Ogbuku was part of the annual thanksgiving service organized by the state government in appreciation for God’s wondrous works for the state and its people.

During the visit, the managing director said the commission was partnering with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to construct emergency shelters for flood victims at Otuoke and Odi and also said the NDDC would carry out canalisation of the Okarki-Otuabagi area of the Kolo Creek, as part of measures to mitigate the impact of flooding on communities in the area.

In commending Ogbuku for his foresight and diligence in the running of the commission thus far, Diri however said the commission should desist from undertaking projects in states that make up the commission without due consultations.

The governor stressed that the commission, as an intervention agency, should play complementary role in development of states within the region and not compete with governors or states and advised the commission to ensure that the relevant ministries in the state were consulted for approval before executing projects in order to avoid duplication.

He said: “It is not proper for NDDC projects to be executed without consultation with states or the governors of the region.

“By the NDDC Act, the governors constitute the advisory committee of the commission. But for four years, and this is the fifth year, that has not been complied with. And that is why you see NDDC projects littered here and there because there is no coordination between the agency and governors of the region.”

He stressed the need to put a stop to the trend where there was no mutual respect and synergy between NDDC and state governments in order to foster rapid development in the region, while also advising the management team to collaborate with governors of the NDDC states to address challenges of the commission, particularly in the area of funding.

“There was internal power struggle within NDDC, which affected development issues in the states. There is so much we can do if we work together. Let us have mutual respect for one another. l see that you are trying to change the narrative with the commitment and passion that you have brought to bear on your job. You are on a trajectory of change.”

He assured the NDDC of his administration’s support, particularly in tackling issues such as the perennial flooding affecting the state.