The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

  • NDDC trains, empowers 27 physically challenged people in Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it has trained and empowered 27 people living with disabilities in Delta.

    Mrs Beauty Aikhomu, the NDDC, Head of Department (HoD), Youth, Sports, Culture and Women Affairs, Warri Office, said the aim was to make them self-reliant.

    Aikhomu said the process of empowering the beneficiaries with starter packs was underway to enable them to adequately put their skills into proper use.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme tagged: “Training and Empowerment for People living with Disability” was sponsored by the NDDC and facilitated by an NGO, “Health and Skills for Africa”.

    NAN reports that the training, which started on April 6, covers: Confectionery, Bead making, Photography, Makeup (manicure and Pedicure).

    Others were: Auto gele, Turbab, Ankara and Shoe making, Wig making (manicure and pedicure), fixing of eyelashes and GSM repair.

    Aikhomu said that the commission was committed to improving positively on the lives of people of Niger Delta area.

    “NDDC is set up to affect lives of everybody in the Niger Delta positively; so, it will not be out of place in doing more of this kind of programme, if need be.

    “NDDC knows what to do at every point in time; there is a starter pack accompanying this programme and the process is already ongoing.

    “The starter pack is one of those things to ensure that the trainees do not leave here and go and sit at home, but to start doing something.

    “I can say categorically that the programme is successful, because during exhibition and testimony time, some of the trainees have started making money from the skills in their neighborhoods,” she said.

    Also, Mrs Rachael Misan-Ruppee, the Programme Coordinator in Delta, said the training was held concurrently across the states in the Niger Delta region.

    According to Misan-Ruppee, the trainees have started utilizing their skills to make money.

    She said that the starter packs would be a boost and a driven force for them to make more resources for better living.

    “Physically challenged persons have their methods and unique character; when you show them love and encouragement, they are ready to put in their best.

    “The centre was peaceful, even before the closing ceremony, some of the trainees have started making money. Those that make shoes, bags, cake, beads and others have started selling.

    “I believe that when the NDDC gives them the starter packs that suppose to go with the training, they already have a foundation and this will now be a motivation for them in their various trades.

    “When the trainees started, they did not know anything about the skills, but today they are professionals in their various fields as attested to by their trainers,” she said.

    Misan-Ruppee commended the NDDC for organising such a programme, noting that the gesture had given the physically challenged people a sense of belonging in the oil producing region.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mr Friday Otobo, thanked the commission for the programme.

    Read Also: NDDC director becomes ICAD fellow

    Otobo advised his colleagues to put what they have learnt into practice.

    “We should do the right thing out there so that we can add value to the society.

    “I thank NDDC for putting smile on our faces. This is the first of its kind and we are looking forward to the second batch,” he said.

    Another trainee, Mr Christopher Omukoro, thanked the NDDC for creating a platform for them to acquire skills and contribute their quotas to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

    A trainer in confectionery, Mrs Gbogiemi Eseoghene, expressed surprise at the enthusiasm of the beneficiaries in acquiring skills.

    “They were all willing to learn and they got the knowledge; they are professionals now in their trades. The period of training was short. NDDC should do the programme often,” she said.

    Highlights of the ceremony was the exhibition of the various items produced by the trainees in the course of the programme.

    NAN

     

  • Alleged NDDC bribe: EFCC tenders bank account as proof

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday tendered a bank account through which a former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli, was allegedly paid N3.6billion bribe.

    The commission is trying Omatsuli at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly receiving N3.6billion bribe from a contractor, Starline Consultancy Services.

    He was charged with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu on 45 counts.

    EFCC said Omatsuli of procured Momoh and Building Associates to utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy Services.

    Read Also: Alleged fraud: EFCC opens case against bank, staff

    It accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of a total sum of N3, 645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification.”

    The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

    Testifying on Thursday, a banker, Mr. Peter Adegoke, said the funds were transferred from the NDDC to Starline Consultancy Services between 2014 and 2016.

    Led in evidence prosecuting counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho, the witness said the funds were transferred to the firm’s Fidelity Bank account.

    Adegoke said he had been with Fidelity Bank for over ten years and is presently a compliance officer.

    He said his duties include processing requests by anti-graft agencies such as EFCC.

    The witness said he received a letter from EFCC on July 12, 2016, requesting the account opening documents and statement of account of Starline Counsultancy Services.

    “We provided the documents as requested,” he said.

    Adegoke said Ibinabo Michael West was the account’s signatory.

    The account statement and opening package were admitted in evidence.

    Under cross-examination, the witness said he did not see Omatsuli’s name in any of the documents.

    The trial continues Friday.

  • Monarchs seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers, under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), have urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,, who is the national secretary of TROMPCON, stated this.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro, while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast-tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

  • I didn’t sponsor thugs to snatch ballot boxes, says Semenitari

    A former Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has denied a report on Radio Rivers she sponsored armed thugs that stormed polling units in Abam, Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

    Semenitari, who is a former Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications during the Rotimi Amaechi’s administration, was accused by the Port Harcourt-based radio of mobilising the thugs to snatch electoral materials, which they allegedly took to her family house in Abam, Okrika LGA to thumb-print for her party.

    She is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Mrs. Semenitari, whose husband, Chief Henry Semenitari, is the paramount ruler of Abam community, stated that she had suffered embarrassment by the false report.

    She said: “At no time did thugs come to my house. I do not harbour any thug and I cannot imagine such a report being aired about me.

    “The reporter did not do a simple fact-check, before going on air. Neither did the radio station.”

    Soldiers later went to Chief Abam’s house, a PDP chieftain and recovered the hijacked electoral materials.

    The former acting managing director of NDDC is a daughter of an ex-Deputy Governor of Rivers state, Sir Gabriel Toby, who hails from Opobo, the headquarters of Opobo/Nkoro LGA.

  • Support peace efforts in Niger Delta, NDDC’s MD urges US govt

    The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere, has urged to the United States government to support programmes that will enhance peace and security in the Niger Delta, to facilitate sustainable development in the crude oil and gas-rich region.

    He made the admonition when a delegation from the United States Consulate in Lagos, led by the US Consul-General, John Bray, paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s corporate headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Ekere, who emphasized the need for an enduring peace in the Niger Delta region, stated that security was critical for development and growth.

    He said: “It is noteworthy that you are coming at the onset of our political season. We expect some assistance from the US government. We have specific concerns in the Niger Delta, especially during an election period like this, principally in the area of security.

    “The US government can use its influence to prevail on our politicians to allow democracy to thrive in Nigeria. If politicians can be made to play by the rules, it will help in the process of maintaining peace and security during and after the elections.”

    The NDDC chief also stated that the visit of the US Consul-General was reassuring, stressing that it showed that the US government was always thinking about and working on the ways to collaborate and deepen the conversation on the challenges and growth of the Niger Delta region.

    Read Also: ‘How to end building collapse in Niger Delta’

    He pointed out that NDDC had in the last two years recorded some tremendous achievements in the area of development in the region.

    Ekere reiterated that at a previous visit of the Consul-General at the inception of the current NDDC board, the commission had just rolled out its reform agenda.

    He said: “We have since made tremendous and appreciable progress in reforming the commission to be better placed to deliver on its mandate to the Niger Delta people and to Nigerians.’

    The managing director also lamented that a lot of the youths of the Niger Delta, because of the challenges of unemployment and poverty, opted to be used by politicians as thugs.

    He said: “Most times, what makes the political process explosive and dangerous is the attitude of some sit-tight office holders, who do not believe that the political process should be a referendum by the people on their performance in office.

    “The reason the constitution allows us to have a chance to conduct elections every four years is so that those that did well could be considered to continue, while those that did not perform well should be kicked out. They should be honest enough to allow the process to evolve, so that the citizens can have their say in the governance system.”

    The United States Consul-General in Lagos, earlier in his remarks, stated that the US government was committed to ensuring credible elections in Nigeria.

    He said: “The United States government does not support any candidate. We support a clean, fair process in which the choices of the Nigerian people will prevail. The interest of the United States is to see free, fair, transparent and non-violent elections in Nigeria in 2019.”

    The US envoy also stated that it was important to keep an eye on the development programmes in the Niger Delta region, as the country enters the political season, leading to the general elections.

    Bray added: “We are visiting key political institutions and figures. We are trying to work out ways our government can engage with Nigerians, candidates, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, as we go into the elections.”

  • NDDC plans industrial development centre in A/Ibom

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)  says it will establish an industrial development centre in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
    Managing Director of the commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere disclosed this on Tuesday in Ikot Ekpene during the flag-off of the entrepreneurship/agricultural disbursement grants for Akwa Ibom North-West (Ikot Ekpene) Senatorial District.
    The grant is initiated and sponsored by the representative of the senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
    Ekere said the NDDC was collaborating with the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) to set up the centre, located opposite Champion Breweries on Aka – Nung Udoe Road, Uyo, with the aim of training, mentoring and empowering the youths of the state for job creation.
    Ekere said, “NDDC is about development and creating jobs to banish poverty. This is what NDDC is all about.”
    The NDDC boss commended Akpabio for also working with SMEDAN to empower over 400 indigenes of his senatorial district to start businesses.

    Read Also: NDDC boss gets kudos for Akwa Ibom road

    “What would you have expected from the uncommon Senator,” he said. “Little wonder the people of Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District declared that wherever you go that they will go with you. I’m not surprised that this senatorial district loves Senator Godswill Akpabio.”
    Ekere, who is the Gubernatorial Candidate of the All Progressives’ Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State, expressed delight with the overwhelming show of support for him by the people of the senatorial district, declaring that, with similar support from the other two senatorial districts, his victory in the 2019 election was assured.
    He promised, on becoming Governor, to complete the Ikot Ekpene – Uyo Road, to open the Four Points-By-Sheraton Hotel in Ikot Ekpene and to build the international market in Ikot-Ekpene, three projects the present State Government had failed to do as promised.
    “We must showcase Ikot Ekpene as the commercial city of Akwa Ibom State,” Ekere pledged. “Dry bones shall rise again.”
    He enumerated some of the landmark achievements of Akpabio, as Governor in his first term, and pointed out that the incumbent Governor had nothing to show as similar achievements but rather had failed to complete or maintain infrastructure and amenities he inherited.
    His words: “Virtually all the things that made us proud as a state have been destroyed by the present State Government.”

  • Ndoma-Egba clinches APC senate ticket 

    …as Ricketts emerges in parallel primaries

     

    Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has clinched the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to run for the seat of the central senatorial district of Cross River State in next year’s general elections.

    Ndoma-Egba, a former Senate Leader, scored 50,729 votes to beat Prof Oka Martins who came second with 19, 349 votes in the primary election which held in Ikom local government area. Other contestants Obol Akin Anderson Ricketts and Dr Henry Ayuk scored 302 and 252 respectively.

    Read Also:Obahiagbon, Iyoha, Agbonnayima, win APC ticket

    But in a parallel senatorial primaries for the Central District by another faction of the party, Obol Ricketts, a former Commissioner for Information in the state, emerged as the winner.

    Chairman of the primaries committee for the exercise, Arc. Tata Ifere announced that Ricketts polled 12, 311 votes; Ayuk polled 6, 520 votes; Ndoma-Egba, 251 votes and Martins got 100.

    Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, who spoke with reporters, said, “I thank God for the second chance to represent my people. I still believe that the highest honour any people can give to anybody is to ask that the person represents them especially in an elective capacity. For me it is an honour to once again represent my people and it is a challenge for me to even do better than I had done in the past.

    “I will do it with more energy, urgency and more zeal. You recall that I have a number of bills that were not passed into law and I will pursue them to their logical end. I will complete all uncompleted projects like the Iruan Dan, the Ikom specialist hospitals and others. I will like to see to the conclusion of those projects, so my priority will be finishing every unfinished business.”

    Also another former Senator, Prince Bassey Otu also clinched the party’s ticket for the southern senatorial district, while Wabily Nyiam emerged the senatorial candidate for the northern senatorial district.

  • Bayelsa stakeholders tip Alaibe to replace Dickson

    Bayelsa State stakeholders on Tuesday tipped a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, as a good replacement for Governor Seriake Dickson.

    The stakeholders called on Alaibe to warm up for the 2019 governorship election in the state assuring him of victory.

    They argued that Alaibe, who hails from Opokuma area of the state, had the credentials to continue with the good work of Dickson.

    The stakeholders consisted of the Timi Alaibe Youth Vanguard (TAYV), Bayelsa State Advancement Movement (BSAM), Alaibe Support Group (ASG), Committee for the Development of Bayelsa State (CDBS) and Concerned Progressive Youths of Bayelsa State (CPYBS)

    Applauding transformation in the state, they insisted that Alaibe had the wherewithal to pilot the affairs for the benefit of the people in line with strides already achieved by the Dickson.

    Speaking for the groups, Prince Peres Ogbogbo, noted that Alaibe’s strides in the NDDC and as a Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs remained unmatched by his successors, saying he would repeat similar feats as a governor.

    Read Also: Obasanjo’s medical tourism in Bayelsa

    He said they were ready to purchase the nomination form for Alaibe despite his chosen political platform.

    Ogbogbo said: “We opted to synergise our various positions with the aim of ensuring that Timi Alaibe becomes the next governor. Our groups have the required structures  across the 105 wards of the state that will enable us achieve their target.

    “We have structures across the 105 wards in the state that can give our principal Timi Alaibe the mandate to be the next governor of the state.

    “We state without equivocation that we are calling on Timi Alaibe to contest for the governorship position because we trust and we are confident that with his achievements in NDDC and the amnesty office, he has the capacity to move the state forward”.

    He said the groups looked at the last records of Alaibe and were impressed by his achievements such as construction of roads across the Niger Delta, electrification of communities and empowerment of the people.

    “The footprints of Timi Alaibe are all over the Niger Delta and beyond. Under his tenure in NDDC he constructed roads, electrified communities across the Niger Delta States.

    “It should be noted here that he was the initiator of the amnesty programme that has restored peace in the region and empowered our people by building their capacities both in Nigeria and abroad”, he said.

    Ogbogbo called on Alaibe to contest on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to enable him continue with the developmental strides of Dickson.

    “Timi Alaibe should contest on the platform of PDP because that is the party of our people, so that he will continue with the good works of Seriake Dickson who has the love and passion for the development of the Ijaw nation”, he said.

     

  • Oshiomhole’s election will strengthen APC –NDDC boss

    Mr Nsima Ekere, the Managing Director of the  Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says  the election of  Mr Adams Oshiomhole as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will  strengthen  the party.

    Ekere, who said this  in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, also expressed optimism that the former governor of Edo would  unify the party to achieve victory in the 2019 polls.

    “With less than eight months to 2019 elections, Oshiomhole is poised to bring his wealth of experience and ingenuity in governance, politics and organisation to bear.

    “I urge Oshiomhole to work closely with President Muhammadu Buhari, other party officials, stakeholders and the party faithful to consolidate on the gains of his predecessor.

    Read also: Oshiomhole set for coronation as Ebri quits

    “Doing this will lead the party to greater success in governance at different levels and ensure bigger win in the 2019 elections than we had in 2015,” he said.

    Ekere felicitated with other members of the newly elected APC National Executive Committee including the South-South Women Leader, Mrs Rachel Akpabio, who was re-elected for a second term in office.

    According to him, the party has been vindicated with the successful conduct of its national convention contrary to prediction that the party may disintegrate.

    “I call on the people of the nine Niger Delta states to support Buhari and the APC in the 2019 elections to enjoy more democratic dividends,” he said.

  • Bayelsa not getting its due from NDDC – Group

    …Meddlers behind the allegation – NDDC

     

    A group, the Bayelsa Patriotic Watch (BPW) , has called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Assembly to beam searchlight on projects awarded by the Nsima Ekere-led board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the state.

    The group said undue interference by the board and its Managing Director in projects for the state are affecting their deliveries and performance.

    But an aide to the NDDC MD debunked the allegation, accusing “political jobbers and mischief makers” who are not getting easy money as they were used to for the attack.

    The BPW alleged that contracts meant for the state were being awarded to non-indigenes and those who can further the political ambition of some of the NDDC leaders.

    These were contained in a statement signed by BPW President and Secretary-General, Chief Fyneface Tari and Hon Suoyo Ebi, respectively.

    The MD’s aide, who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “We are used to such baseless accusation by people who are used to getting free money.

    Read Also: Court orders forfeiture of NDDC director’s N800m Lekki property

    “As soon as the free money stopped, they are resulting to blackmail and mudslinging because the MD is not prepared to sacrifice the commission for their personal gains”.

    But BPW leaders insisted, “Our organization is a collegiate of recognized youths leaders and stakeholders in the protection of and prospecting for greater Bayelsa state and Ijaw interest in the NDDC.

    “We are constrained to draw the attention of the general public and indeed the Presidency to the cross purposes and selfish pursuit of the NDDC, especially the MD’s neck-deep pursuit of 2019 governorship ambition back in his home state of Akwa-Ibom.”

    The group said the alleged ambition is distracting the MD from focusing on the development of the region, particularly on their state.

    “We are alarmed that Mr. Ekere-led board is still desperately awarding juicy contracts meant for Bayelsa people to his cronies and supporters of his gubernatorial ambition in Akwa Ibom state, thereby robbing Peter to pay Paul.

    “Key life touching projects of NDDC that had been blatantly abandoned by Nsima-led NDDC include the Opu/Nembe sand filled Road; the Shoreline Protection Project in Kaiama, Kolokuma-Opukuma LGA.”

    They lamented that the board had refused to revisit the project, but instead allegedly “diverted resources and opportunities mean for such projects for personal ambitions.