According to the report from the Vanguard, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo has announced that governors of the nine oil-producing states are collaborating with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to promote sustainable development in the region.
Uzodimma made this statement after a meeting with the governors of the oil-producing states and the NDDC Board in Abuja on Monday. The governor emphasized that the meeting aimed to create synergy between the governing council, the governing board, and the advisory board of the NDDC for the benefit of Nigerians.
“We looked at many issues, including projects, abandoned projects, ongoing projects, and how best we can advance progress through collaboration,” Uzodimma said.
He noted that the previous administration under Muhammadu Buhari had established a Policy Coordinating Committee to identify projects suffering from funding issues. Uzodimma praised the new board for working with President Bola Tinubu to address these challenges and ensure project completion.
“There is no politics about it. This government is sensitive and wants the nation to be developed. They are working together to meet the aspirations and yearnings of our people,” he stated.
NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku also spoke, highlighting the governors' commitment to supporting the board and management of the commission. He stressed the importance of cooperation with state governments to achieve optimal results for projects within their boundaries.
“NDDC does not have a geographical location; it is the state governments that have boundaries. So whatever projects we are embarking on are in the states,” Ogbuku said.
Ogbuku emphasized President Tinubu’s commitment to completing ongoing and abandoned projects in the region. “The President has given us a marching order to complete landmark projects in the next two years. Some of these projects started 15 years ago, so it is not something we can finish in one year,” he explained.
Regarding the East-West road, Ogbuku clarified that while it is a Federal Government project, the NDDC is supporting the Federal Ministry of Works to ensure its completion.
Earlier, the Forum of the Governors of the Oil Producing States elected Uzodimma as its Chairman, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa as Vice Chairman, and Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River as Secretary.