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NDDC unveils Niger-Delta masterplan
CAJETAN MMUTA,
Asaba
OVER 40,000
stages of comprehensive information document on the regional development
masterplan for the Niger Delta People, containing the vision and programmes of
the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was presented yesterday to core
stakeholders in Delta State. They are to be appraised by the people concerning
the development strides earmarked by the commission for the people of the state.
The masterplan has details with underlying
principles of pursuing the development of communities in the Niger Delta region
through capacity building, synergy and focus to meet the yearnings and
aspirations of people in the region particularly to address endemic poverty
ravaging the indigenes.
Presenting the masterplan, managing
director of the commission Chief Emmanuel Aguariavwodo who led the NDDC team to
the state, said the commission was poised to uplift the standard of living of
people in the region in line with mandate entrusted on it by presidency five
years ago on how to turn around the region with viable development strategies.
Chief Aguariavwodo stated that the essence
of the presentation was to enable the stakeholders make necessary inputs that
would enable the commission meet its targets at alleviating the perceived
challenges facing the region particularly in area of infrastructural development
and enhancement of health of the people.
The NDDC boss explained further that the
action programme design which is expected to commence operation in January 2005
� would benefit every ward, local government and state of the region.
He added that projects earmarked for
execution within the benefitting states of the region are expected to create
viable economic and development goals with special focus on the Federal
Government Economic Empowerment Development Strategy (NEEDS) and poverty
reduction.
However, the Commission is jointly working
with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to ensure that
international standards are met in the execution of the slated projects for the
region which in all would be subject to constant review particularly on the
strategies for poverty reduction in rural areas and to guarantee improved
agriculture as well as better environment for industrialisation.
In his reaction to the plan, the state
governor, Chief James Ibori, expressed fears over the poor funding of the
commission as the major obstacle in the realisation of its set goals.
He said there was equally strong need for
NDDC to focus more attention on programmes about infrastructural development
that could open the region as a major player in the creation of the nation�s
wealth, to the outside world, considering the huge revenue that comes from the
region on daily basis.
While endorsing his support for the
development masterplan on behalf of citizens of the state, the governor urged
the commission�s team to desist from embarking on white elephant projects that
would leave the people of the region in misery.
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