NDDC will be fair to all communities, says Semenitari

Communities of the Niger Delta region have been assured of fair treatment by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in the distribution of projects, programmes and social services.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of the Oromeruezimgbu community, the host of the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, on Monday, the Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said it was important to touch every part of the Niger Delta to achieve sustainable regional development.

The NDDC boss, who reiterated the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari to the Commission to focus on the completion of on-going projects, promised to make a special case for the host community of the NDDC headquarters, since according to her, “we have to make our landlords happy.”

Mrs. Semenitari stated that while it was important to provide facilities for the hosts, it was also necessary to distribute amenities fairly to all communities in the region. “We will try our best to mitigate the problems faced by our host community as a result of the presence of the NDDC in the area,” she said.

The NDDC boss appealed to members of the community to understand the position of the Commission in the award of contracts, adding that the commission had changed the system that required all contractors doing business with it to be registered for that purpose.

“Now, as long as you are properly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, you are qualified to tender for contracts in NDDC,” she said.

Mrs. Semenitari told members of the community that they would be given opportunities in the award of contracts, employments and scholarships, noting that such benefits were usually given on merit.

In an address read on behalf of the community, the Chairman of Oromeruezimgbu Community Development Committee, Comrade Lucky Wonodi, highlighted some areas they would want the NDDC to come to their aid. They requested the construction of a civic centre, rehabilitation of streets and provision of street lights in their community. They also asked for award of contracts, scholarships and the employment of their youths.

The community thanked President Buhari for appointing Mrs. Semenitari to serve the people of the region and Nigeria at large. According to them, the records of the Acting MD had been impeccable and did not leave anyone in doubt of what she was set to achieve as the Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC.

The delegation from the community, which was led by Eze Chukwuemeka Orluchime, the paramount ruler of Oromeruezimgbu in Rebisi, included other notable leaders.