The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reiterated its strong commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to drive transformation in the Niger Delta region.
During a meeting held at the United States Embassy in Abuja, which included representatives from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director of NDDC, emphasized the critical need to rebuild public trust and enhance service delivery in the region.
Dr. Ogbuku highlighted that the objective of the meeting was to explore collaborative strategies aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These discussions mirrored the core principles of SDG 16, which promotes peace, justice, and the establishment of robust institutions, and SDG 17, advocating for partnerships to achieve these goals.
The NDDC leader emphasized that the new management of NDDC is determined to adopt a fresh approach, symbolizing their commitment to revitalizing the Commission’s image and operations, while aligning it more closely with global sustainable development objectives.
During the meeting, Dr. Ogbuku provided an update on several ongoing reforms and programs initiated by the Commission. These initiatives included “Project Hope,” focused on building a comprehensive database of young people in the Niger Delta to facilitate interventions free from undue political influence. He also briefed the USAID team on the progress of the ongoing assessment conducted by KPMG, which is in the process of developing a standard operating procedure (SOP) to govern all aspects of the Commission’s activities and transactions.
Daniel Morris, the director of the USAID Office, commended NDDC’s proactive efforts, characterizing them as a departure from traditional practices. He expressed his enthusiasm for the Commission’s drive to establish productive partnerships.
Morris, who led the USAID team, expressed gratitude to Dr. Ogbuku for leading the renewed efforts to challenge the negative public perception of the Commission and for implementing interventions aimed at restoring stakeholder confidence and rebuilding public trust. Both teams affirmed their commitment to ongoing collaboration, particularly in terms of technical support and other areas aligned with the Commission’s mandate.
