The Managing Director of the commission, Mr
Nsima Ekere, disclosed this at the signing of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on two programmes under the Department of
International Development (DFID), in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
The
Facility for Oil Sector Transparency and Reform (FOSTER) and the Market
Development Project in the Niger Delta (MADE) are the two programmes
under DFID, a UK government aid organisation.
Ekere
said that NDDC sought assistance from FOSTER and MADE due to the
current management’s determination to reposition the commission for
better service delivery to the nine Niger Delta states.
“The
core mandate of NDDC is to facilitate rapid and sustainable development
of the Niger Delta to one that is economically prosperous, socially
stable, politically peaceful and ecologically regenerative.
“That explains why upon assumption of office, we felt that we can hardly do it alone without external support and collaboration.
“To
this end, FOSTER will support improvements to prioritisation of
projects and budgeting while strengthening transparency, discipline
spending and overhaul NDDC’s internal systems, processes and procedures.
“Similarly,
FOSTER will provide support for project monitoring and evaluation that
tracks projects and programmes from award; implementation to impact
assessment,” he said.
Ekere said
that the aid organisation would improve the commission’s Quarterly
Report and provide technical support and communication strategy for
regular engagement with stakeholders in the region.
He
explained that MADE, under the terms of the agreement, would work with
the commission to assist disadvantaged agriculture marketers with focus
to boost agriculture in the region.
According
to him, the MoU will also enable grant-funding for sustainable
development initiatives that will stimulate growth in Non-Oil Products.
“The
fund will enhance oil palm production, development of poultry farming,
training in the production of finished leather goods and training in
aquatic farming, among others.
“Economic
diversification is vital to the region’s long-term economic growth and
as such, we must align ourselves with programmes that seek to advance
this vital cause.
“For this
reason, agriculture and other factor markets must be given much needed
attention in order to exploit opportunities that can create jobs and
boost employment in the region,” he said.
Ekere
said that both partnership heralded a new future for the commission and
was indication of current move by the new NDDC board and management to
fast track the region’s development.
Team
Lead of FOSTER, Mr Henry Adigun, commended NDDC for the opportunity and
assured of the organisation's determination to rebrand the commission
for efficient service delivery.
He said
that DFID under which FOSTER operated was particularly concerned with
events in the Niger Delta and was willing to provide other support to
the region.
On his part, Tunde Oderinde,
who led MADE delegation, said the body would bring its international
expertise to boost agriculture in the Niger Delta.
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