PORT HARCOURT, Rivers – In a strategic move to elevate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and foster rapid development in the Niger Delta region, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director, emphasized the pivotal role of accountability and transparency during a courtesy visit by Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, the Deputy Group Managing Director of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
by Mr Muyiwa Akinyemi, Deputy Group Managing Director, UBA. February 14, 2024.
Ogbuku outlined the NDDC’s shift from transactional leadership to a more dynamic phase of transformational engagement. He emphasised that improving service delivery in Nigeria’s oil-rich region requires accountability and transparency.
The NDDC has put strong measures in place to pursue financial discipline, such as hiring KPMG to create a corporate governance framework. This system aims to establish Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to internally regulate the Commission’s activities, building stakeholder and development partner confidence.
The Managing Director emphasized the importance of a verifiable database for the Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement (HOPE) initiative, enabling the Commission to efficiently train and engage the region’s youth. A comprehensive database, Ogbuku noted, facilitates better planning and collaboration with other development agencies.
Addressing entrepreneurship, Ogbuku highlighted the NDDC’s collaboration with the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce to support farmers and entrepreneurs in the region. Despite acknowledging the Commission’s potential, he expressed frustration with the operational constraints posed by the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy. He advocated for the Commission’s removal from the TSA to unlock more possibilities.
Mr. Muyiwa Akinyemi, representing UBA, expressed willingness to collaborate with the NDDC, citing confidence in the ongoing transformation within the Commission. The involvement of KPMG in crafting a corporate governance structure was seen as a positive step, enhancing the credibility of partnerships with the NDDC.
Assuring a comprehensive review of engagement levels with the Commission, Akinyemi indicated the bank’s readiness to venture into strategic partnerships. As the NDDC endeavours to instil transparency, accountability, and efficient governance, the collaboration with UBA signals a potential turning point in the Commission’s developmental initiatives.
Stay tuned for updates on the evolving partnership between the NDDC and UBA as they jointly navigate the challenges and opportunities in the Niger Delta region.
