Contractors of Niger Delta extraction under the aegis of the Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA) and Contractors Association of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have called on the Federal Government to release appropriated for the NDDC promptly.
Both associations also called on international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta region to speedily release statutory funds meant for the Commission to enable the Commission to clear all contractual liabilities.
During a joint press conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, National President of the associations, Dressman Darlington-Gbolobofa, came out with this on Thursday, July 13, 2023.
According to him, NDICA and CANDDC expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for retaining Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of NDDC, urging him to consider the management team for reappointment for continuity and stability.
Expressing delight in the President’s decision to retain Ogbuku as NDDC Managing Director amidst a series of sacks in various parastatals since Tinubu assumed office, both associations passed a vote of confidence on the Samuel Ogbuku-led administration at the NDDC.
“We would like to, first of all, felicitate with the President and Commander-in-Chief, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, on the bold but important policy decisions he has taken so far, which include the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of the exchange rate, the appointment of Service Chiefs, dissolution of governing boards of Federal Government parastatals, among others. With these significant first steps, Mr President has left no one in doubt about his mission to steer the country towards growth and development.”
“As stakeholders interested in the advancement of the socio-economic development of the Niger Delta region, we, the members of Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (INDICA) and Contractors Association of NDDC, are particularly grateful to the President for sparing the Management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ably led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. Our gratitude stems from the team’s proven integrity and administrative competence”.
“We are glad to note that the resentment, distrust and hatred that characterized the relationship between the NDDC and its vendors/contractors have become a thing of the past due to the effective administrative style of Dr Ogbuku and his team. For instance, gone are the days when hapless local contractors were forced to embark on disruptive protests over Commission executed”.
“This vexed issue of non-payment of contractors after executing sundry jobs for the commission, a major source of embarrassment to government and friction with contractors, has been laid to rest as contractors are now sure of their payments in reasonable time”.
“Worthy of commendation is the Management’s well-thought-out decision to pay contractors starting with small tickets which constitute about 60% of the Commission’s debt to contractors”.
“To underscore its genuine intention to do things differently, the Ogbuku-led Management team has continuously held interactive sessions with contractor’s associations and stakeholders in the region wherein both parties listen to each other and proffer way forward. Such a people-centred administrative style has significantly boosted the positive public perception of the Commission and, by extension, the Government”.
“We are also privy to the various efforts put in place by the NDOC Management. We are a sensitize youths of Niger Delta communities on the dangers and grave Implications of pipeline vandalization, illegal oil bunkering and refining activities in the region”.
“Through various commendable sensitization and advocacy platforms, the Commission under Dr Ogbuku has undoubtedly led the way in upholding the Federal Government’s quest to halt illegal oil activities in the region”.
“As indigenous operators and partners in progress, we are genuinely interested in the success of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NOOC) and the development of our dear region. Therefore, we pass a vote of confidence on Dr Samuel Ogbuku-led management team of the NGOC and urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for continuity and stability to Consider and confirm them for reappointment”.
“We equally wish to use this medium to plead with the Federal Government for prompt fund release to the commission while calling on all IOCs and gas processing companies operating within the Niger Delta also to, as a matter of urgency, fast track their release of funds to enable the MD and his management team consolidate in their resolve to clear all contractual liabilities bedevilling the NDDC Thank you”.
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