The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is stepping up its game on institutionalising legal frameworks as part of measures aimed at hastening the pace of sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
Weak implementation and inadequate regulations emerged as critical challenges impeding investments and sustainable development in the oil-producing region during a law and development summit held in Port Harcourt.
The summit under the theme “Role of Law in Driving Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta Region” was convened by NDDC to examine existing laws and legal reforms that would ensure sustainable development in the region.
Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director, NDDC, disclosed that the institution is implementing legal and institutional reforms, adding that about 90 per cent of processes within the commission had been digitalized.
Chaired by Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC Board, one issue that stood out was the demand for a responsive legal framework, owing to issues like inefficiency caused by bureaucracy, funding gaps, and regulatory challenges.
Henry Odein Ajumogobia, the keynote speaker at the summit, stressed that the problems plaguing the region are more often due to weak enforcement of existing laws than the lack thereof.
Ajumogobia recommended strict environmental laws, a ban on gas flaring, and setting up special environmental courts.
According to the communiqué issued following the summit, stronger environmental laws, transparent reporting of petroleum income and improved community participation were needed.
Legal structures needed to be established for diversifying into agriculture, fishing and blue economy.
It is clear that the participants saw legal enforcement, accountability and collaboration as fundamental to sustainable development in the region.
