Complete On-Going Projects Before Starting New Ones, Jonathan Tells NDDC

President Goodluck Jonathan has advised the new board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete on-going projects in the area before embarking on new projects.

Jonathan, who was speaking at the inauguration of the new board of directors of the commission in the Presidential Villa, decried situations where government agencies’ failure to perform   has created blames to be heaped on the presidency.

“A body like NDDC should not just go into a voyage of contracts procurement but ongoing projects must be completed for people to benefit before new ones are awarded,” adding that “there are just too many ongoing projects and we believe that you don’t even have enough manpower to manage the ongoing projects.”

He said he will no longer tolerate a situation where the presidency takes the blame for the failure of organs of government and called on the NDDC board to shun corruption tendencies and work for the development of the region.

“Everything done by government body, the blame, if wrongly done is on the head of the president. If you do badly, it is Jonathan that is probably using NDDC funds for election campaigns, that is what people will say.

“I will really look at your activities clinically, and I will not accept any aberration from the conventional and acceptable way of managing resources of the people,” he said.

The new chairman of the board, Sen. Bassey Ewa Henshaw, and his team promised to create a new positive image for the commission “by adopting a fresh approach and forging a new direction and focus. We hope to create a new more positive image for the commission,” adding that “the NDDC can become the veritable vehicle for it is intended to be for the upliftment of the people of the Niger Delta, a vehicle by which their situation can be transformed from one of deprivation to one of prosperity and hope.”

The former senator added that the new board will “focus on major infrastructural developments that will open up and integrate the sub-region.”

Other members of the board include Mr. Dan-Abia (Managing Director), Itotenaan Ogiri (ED, Finance and Administration), Tuoyo Omatsulu (ED Projects) from Akwa Ibom and Rivers States, respectively.

Others are Ball Oyarede (Bayelsa), Ephraim Etete (Rivers), Etim Inyang Jnr. (Akwa Ibom), Adah Andeshi (Cross River), Tom Amioku (Delta), Samuel Nwogu (Abia), Uchegbu Chidiebere Kyrian (Imo).

Others are Suleiman Sa’d (North-Central), Abdumalik Mahmud (North-East), Enikuomehin Olorungbonju (Ondo) and Mark Ward (Oil Producers Trade Section, OPTS).