Tag: Mr Nsima Ekere

NDDC Projects: Contractors To Face Prosecution After 30 Days Ultimatum

NDDC Gives Contractors 30 Days to Return to SiteThe Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has given contractors handling its projects 30 days to return to site and complete the projects or face prosecution.

The Managing Director of NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, stated this following an Inter-Ministerial meeting in Abuja chaired by Nigeria’s Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.

The meeting, which took place over the weekend, had in attendance Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, Environment, Niger Delta, Information and Culture, as well as the Presidential Amnesty Office.

It reviewed the 20-Point Agenda of the Petroleum Ministry with regards to the Niger Delta, as well as the Amnesty Programme and the 16-point demand of the Pan Niger Delta Forum.

Mr Ekere said “a list of such contractors is being compiled in all the nine NDDC states and defaulters would be prosecuted”.

He stressed the need to fast-track the ongoing audit of projects awarded in the Niger Delta region, in line with government directives.

“It is important for our contractors to realise that it can’t be business as usual. President Muhammadu Buhari is determined to change how government business is conducted and everyone must wake up to that reality.

Workable Plan

“But beyond that is the fact that we owe the Niger Delta region and our people the duty to implement and complete these projects, in order to facilitate sustainable regional development.

“This is a necessary process to ensure that things are done properly, how they ought to be done and when they ought to be done. It is important to consolidate the agenda with that of the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, as well as the blueprint of the State Governments, the Amnesty Office and the NDDC Master Plan, in order to roll them into one workable plan.

“We are all going to initiate quick-win projects that will give a sense of involvement to government’s approach to handling issues that will impact the people. We will organise frequent town hall meetings with all stakeholders and collaborate in building sustainable economic models for the communities of the Niger Delta,” Ekere said.

The NDDC boss also emphasised the need for the Commission to work with the Ministry of Environment and NOSREA, to facilitate the clean-up exercise in affected areas of oil spill, work on a time frame and encourage IOCs to provide more power to their host communities beyond working with Electricity Distribution Companies.

“Satellite mapping will be used to identify polluted areas in the Niger Delta and a comprehensive plan of action adopted to ensure regional clean-up. This is important because we must ensure that we safeguard our environment and give our people the opportunity and enabling environment to pursue our predominant traditional livelihoods.

“Agriculture and aquaculture are key to facilitating sustainable development in the region, particularly as we seek alternate productive socio-economic activities beyond oil and gas,” he said.

 

We Will Complete All Ongoing Projects, NDDC Assures

We Will Complete All Ongoing Projects, NDDC AssuresThe Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, has restated the commitment of the Commission to complete all ongoing projects in the nine Niger Delta states.

Mr Ekere was speaking at the funeral service held in honour of Elder Inyang Willie Akpan, a one-time sole administrator of Southern Uruan Local Government Area and Caretaker Chairman of both Ikono and Obot Akara LGAs, at the Primary School, Afaha Itam in Itu,Akwa Ibom State on Saturday.

In addition to completing ongoing projects, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer promised that the Commission would construct the Mbiabong-Mkpanobong-Itam Road in Itu LGA next year.

He declared: “We shall send a team to carry out a survey of the road. We shall in the year 2017 construct the road in the memory of Elder Akpan. We will be glad if at the completion of the project the local government can name the road after him.”

He appealed to the people to continue to support the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and the other levels of government in the country, stating that he was confident that the policies of the Federal Government would bring the country out of recession very soon.

He remarked that Itu and Ibiono local government areas benefited from many NDDC projects because they had a very vibrant member in the Senate for many years.

“I know that Senator Ita Enang, who represented Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial district in the National Assembly attracted many NDDC projects to the area,” he said.

Speaking about the departed Elder Akpan, Mr Ekere said: “I did not have the privilege of meeting our daddy, but I have known his son, Nseobot Willie, for the past ten years. And if the qualities I have seen in Nse are a reflection of who his father was, then I can easily say he was a good man, because it takes a good man to raise a good son.”

He noted that the joy of every man is to be old enough to raise good children that would carry on with his legacies, and this the late Akpan has achieved having lived a fulfilled life, raising children that will not be a reproach to him.

Mr Ekere again commiserated with the Akwa Ibom State Government and families of the victims of the recent Reigners Bible Church building collapse in Uyo. He said that the tragedy which occurred while thousands of worshippers were inside the church was avoidable.

“That tragedy affected the entire state. Our prayer is that this type of affliction will not arise a second time,” he said.

Mr Ekere prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead and God’s healing upon those who were at different hospitals with injuries sustained during the collapse. “I wish them quick recovery. And I pray for comfort to their souls, spirits and bodies and declare that this tragedy will not befall us again,” he said.

He said that at this time when Christians all over the world were preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, everyone should pray fervently to God, so that this season would not be one of tears and sorrow, but would truly be one of peace, joy, charity and goodwill to all men.

The officiating minister, Rev Dr Moses Edem, extolled the virtues of the late Willie Akpan, remarking that he lived a life worthy of emulation. He commended the NDDC Chief Executive Officer for identifying with the people of the area as well as the church.