The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has called for its exemption from the Treasury Single Account policy of the Federal government to enhance its capacity to deliver optimal service in the development of the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made this appeal on Friday during the Board and Management Retreat held in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.
He emphasized that while the Treasury Single Account policy offers significant benefits, it constrains the commission’s ability to address emerging and urgent development needs in the region effectively.
In a statement titled “A New Paradigm for Niger Delta Development: Balancing Transparency with Agility,” Ogbuku underscored the necessity for the NDDC to embrace proactive and radical measures to realize President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, emphasizing the importance of financial autonomy and timely, flexible decision-making for regional development and economic well-being.
“We advocate for the NDDC’s removal from the TSA framework due to its unique characteristics and the potential benefits of increased financial management autonomy,” Ogbuku stated. “This action could streamline approval and disbursement processes, enabling the NDDC to execute projects more efficiently and address the region’s urgent development requirements.”
Highlighting the commission’s mandate to tackle specific and pressing development needs in the Niger Delta, Ogbuku stressed the significance of agile financial decision-making to effectively respond to dynamic regional challenges.
While seeking collaboration with the federal government, Ogbuku urged authorities to grant the commission the flexibility to operate within a responsible, tailored financial framework, asserting that this approach would result in expedited project delivery and enhanced efficiency.
In his address, Minister of Niger Delta Development, Abubakar Momoh, emphasized the importance of fostering a cohesive relationship between the Chairman of the Commission and the Ministry, grounded on the delivery of designated objectives to the NDDC.
He also advised the commission to engage more actively with state governments and communities to determine project locations, fostering trust and cooperation while minimizing project duplication.
Chairman of the NDDC board, Chiedu Ebie, reiterated that the gathering reflected President Tinubu’s vision to transform the Niger Delta into a zone of peace and development
