Commissioner tasks NDDC on mega projects

Mr Chris Onogba, the Delta Commissioner for Special Duties, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stressed the need for the commission to embark on mega projects.

He said “in my opinion, the NDDC as an interventionist agency should embark on projects that states in the region cannot afford to execute.’’

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Asaba that the NDDC should execute projects such as railway lines, power, roads and other mega infrastructure.

“The Niger Delta region will have fared better if the commission had, since inception, initiated and completed a railway project to connect Lagos and Calabar, for instance.

“By now, the entire region would have developed to a larger extent, because it would have facilitated transportation and commerce in the region.’’

Onogba said that although the commission had executed many projects in the region, some of the projects ought to have been done by the affected state or local governments.

He added that if the commission had restricted itself to mega projects, it would eliminate duplication of projects in the communities and ensure effective utilisation of resources.

“Rather than involve itself in building small healthcare centres, street lights, boreholes and the likes, NDDC should have engaged in bigger projects and leave the states and councils to handle smaller projects.’’

The commissioner commended President Goodluck Jonathan for directing the new NDDC board to finish all ongoing projects before initiating new ones.

Onogba, who represents Delta in the Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo and Delta (BRACED) commission, said the NDDC was being repositioned for better performance, in accordance with the presidential directive.

“In 2014 and beyond, it is hoped that NDDC will actually be intervening in funding projects that states cannot fund,” he added (NAN)