Stakeholders In Niger Delta Seek Active NDDC Advisory Committee

Stakeholders in the Niger Delta have emphasised the importance of reactivating the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Advisory Committee, as outlined in its Establishment Act, to advise and monitor the Commission’s activities.
According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, this was one of the resolutions included in a communique issued after the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024, which took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The summit, which brought together stakeholders to discuss issues affecting the region and its development to further transform it, agreed that all funds due and outstanding to the NDDC from statutory sources (including the Federal Government and the Ecological Fund) would be vigorously pursued and recovered.
The stakeholders emphasised the importance of increased collaboration between the NDDC and the Advisory Committee to achieve greater efficiency and activate all organs mandated by the Act.
The stakeholders addressed the issue of development agencies working at cross-purposes and resolved that measures should be taken “to avoid duplication of projects and efforts in the region by ensuring robust consultation between the NDDC and the nine-member states in project implementation.”
The summit affirmed: “There is an urgent need to remove the NDDC from the TSA Policy because it prevents the Commission from fully achieving its interventionist mandate. That the Federal Government strictly adhere to the tenure provisions of the NDDC Act to avoid the Commission’s Boards being dissolved regularly and the irregular appointment of Interim Management to run the Commission’s affairs. Furthermore, the Commission should be protected from political interference that puts undue strain on its leadership.
They also agreed that “additional funding sources for the NDDC, such as at least 3% of VAT revenue, should be statutory.”
The stakeholders agreed that the regional development strategy’s implementation should be funded through three sources: traditional budget sources, public-private partnerships, and development finance.
To support the funding plans, they agreed that establishing the Niger Delta Development Bank (NDDB) to drive the mobilisation of development finance from local and global sources should be prioritised. “Loans should be made available to SMEs in the region to promote economic and industrial development.”
The communique stated: “There is an urgent need to complete the East-West Road, which was awarded nearly twenty years ago, to improve regional transport.
It also called for a thorough review of the NDDC (Establishment) Act, to initiate amendments if necessary.
When it came to creating a new development roadmap, the stakeholders agreed that “proper planning is crucial to any development, and thus the review of the Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan, appropriate data gathering was essential to any realistic development plan.” To prepare or review the master plan, key stakeholders must provide quantitative and qualitative input.
The communique recommends reviewing and redesigning the region’s educational curriculum to meet modern needs. Technical and vocational training must be prioritised by establishing Technical/Vocational training hubs. The region’s educational system should be funded more adequately.
It went on to say: “In terms of healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene, there should be adequate funding for rural and community health centres, as well as personnel training and retraining. It went on to say: “In terms of healthcare, water, sanitation, and hygiene, there should be adequate funding for rural and community health centres, as well as personnel training and retraining.
Stakeholders advocated for increased representation of women and youths in the region’s economy, as well as programmes for individuals with disabilities.
The communique stated: “In sports, tourism, culture, and hospitality, there is a need for sustained investment and capacity building in the region’s entertainment and creative industries. Sports development in areas where the region has a comparative advantage, such as swimming and wrestling, should receive priority attention. There is a need for a dedicated gathering for the creative industry.”
On the issue of environmental degradation caused by oil pollution, stakeholders recommended comprehensive remediation across communities in the Niger Delta to avoid compromising cleaned areas, adding: “The government should uphold the provisions of the Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN) and enforce proper de-commissioning of oil facilities.
The communique also included stakeholder recommendations on a variety of issues, including the use of modern technology in project monitoring and evaluation, the establishment of an integrated waste management plant capable of converting waste to wealth, and the implementation of canalization, shore protection, and land reclamation projects to control erosion and floods.
Other issues addressed included community sensitization and enlightenment campaigns on ecological issues; biodiversity conservation and reforestation to stimulate mangrove restoration; the establishment of technology hubs within the region to drive creativity, innovation, and rapid development in areas such as artificial intelligence; and the region’s diversification from oil and gas to an agro-based regional economy.
The communiqué advocated for regular stakeholder engagements.