Niger Delta Region And NDDC’s Remodelling Initiatives (OPINION)

By Jerome-Mario Utomi

In recent years, precisely before the coming of the present governing board and management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), there were as part of the controversy surrounding the Niger Delta region’s development, long list of queries by development professionals and critical Niger Delta stakeholders that centred on the poor level of infrastructure and socio-economic development in the region.

Some of these queries include; how have successive governments in the Niger Delta managed funds from the federal government?  What role have governments in the Niger Delta played in its development? Will more funds in the coffers of the Niger Delta governments translate into greater well-being for its citizens?  What role has the government played in the equitable distribution of economic resources to the different ethnic nationalities within the Niger Delta? What incentives or deterrents are in place to promote accountability and transparency with government spending?

In similar vein, others have at different times and places asked; Has the struggle for access to economic opportunities by individuals, groups and communities against the debilitating poverty in the Niger Delta also fuelled social and inter-ethnic conflicts?  Has the failure of democratic or military governments to transfer development to the Niger Delta hastened the emergence of ethnic-based groups striving for self-determination and the control of natural resources? Will the management and control of the natural resources by oil-bearing communities yield greater development for the Niger Delta?

Interestingly, like every invention which comes with both opportunities and challenges, the present NDDC governing board and management, has in the past few months taken some pronged measures in advancing the implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, restoring dignity and providing answers to these age long questions.

To really appreciate how far this present leadership has gone in its concerted development efforts that tackles infrastructural and human capital challenges in the region, the latest that comes to mind is the remodelling of its Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme to incorporate a tracking system to monitor the progress of its scholars after graduation.

Addressing more than 200 scholars of the Commission, studying in various universities in the United Kingdom at Coventry University, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the tracking system will make the scholarship scheme, already the best in Nigeria, to be a cutting-edge innovation in skills and knowledge development in the Niger Delta region and will assist build a database of more than 5,000 scholars who have benefited from the scheme for 18 years of its inception. This will enable it to appraise the impact of the scheme in the development of the region’s human capacity pool and also provide insight to the Commission on post scholarship intervention.

“The tracking system is part of the innovation being introduced to make the scheme relevant to the technological needs of the Niger Delta. The other innovation is limiting the scheme to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Medicine) courses.”

Ogbuku was part of the Commission’s monitoring team, led by the Chairman of the Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, to evaluate the performance of the scholars. The team also included the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde and other directors of the Commission. He praised the scholars for being good ambassadors of the region, noting that no scholar from the commission has ever been associated with any vice, a tribute to the stringent and merit-based selection process.

Speaking earlier, Mr Ebie advised the beneficiaries to make the best use of the opportunity given to them to enhance their knowledge for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region. He observed that previous beneficiaries of the scholarship programme set enviable standards for the current set to emulate, stating: “It is remarkable that 14 of our scholars graduated with distinction in Coventry University earlier in the year. Their outstanding performance confirms the transparent process through which the beneficiaries were selected.”

Aside from the remodelling of the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme to incorporate a tracking system to monitor the progress of its scholars after graduation, for me, another critical answer the current governing board and management has provided is the high-level transparency which characterized the process, and made it possible for most of the beneficiaries to be those who never knew anyone from the NDDC or anyone who works there.

Away from foreign scholarship programme to providing answers to the long held view on agricultural challenges in the region, the present NDDC governing board and management, has through various policy thrusts and programmes such as Project HOPE and Improvement Family Enterprises – Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) initiative, provided answer to, and ended the erroneous belief that one of the perverse and unintended consequences of the discovery of oil in Nigeria is that governments have almost completely abandoned agriculture in the mad quest for petrol dollars, as the nation is a mono-economy, depending on the volatile fortunes of oil.

Indeed, before the advent of the present governing board and management, it has been ceaselessly argued that oil pollution has become an indirect violation of the right to life, even as it is a violation of the right to a safe and habitable environment. And in view of this ecological challenge, many environmental analysts have in the past argued that it will be futile to hope that investment of inputs and skills into the sector will boost food supply in rural communities without first addressing adverse oil operation activities.  But with the ongoing efforts in the sector by the agency’s governing board and management, it appears in my view, that the above arguments have finally ended in the dustbin of history!

To further demonstrate its resolve in taking the region out of agricultural woods, the agency in one of its statements stated thus; “We are using the launch of our agricultural programmes to reaffirm our commitment to economically empower our youths and women to build businesses that uplift their future, families, and communities, this project is not just ploughing through the fields of agribusiness but will break new ground and cultivate opportunities for wealth and stability. It will create new opportunities, providing fertile soil for growth in areas that were once dry and barren for the region’s youth and women. Agribusiness seemed out of reach for many in the past, but today we are bridging that gap by opening doors to entrepreneurship, financial independence, and sustainable livelihoods,”.

Analysts believe that NDDC agricultural programmes are capable of promoting peace, improving both the socio-economic lives of the people of the region and beyond.

The same is said of the Commission’s strategic initiative tagged ‘’Internship Scheme for 10,000 Niger Delta Youths’’, another programme that the present board and management has deployed in providing answers to youth empowerment and job creation for the youths in the region.

Speaking at the roll out ceremony in Port Harcourt, Ebie assured that the NDDC was dedicated to advancing the implementation of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and implementation of impactful youth programmes. He said that the Youth Internship Scheme would prepare 10,000 people across the Niger Delta region with the training and experience needed for gainful employment as well as self-employment through entrepreneurship. Ebie explained that the scheme would accommodate young people across different levels of education and experience, noting, however, that they should not be above 45 years.

In the areas of infrastructural provision, the Light Up Niger Delta initiative, easily comes to mind.

According to a commentator who reacted to NDDC’s effort, “In today’s interconnected world, where digital and physical security are increasingly intertwined, the role of well-lit public spaces in promoting safety cannot be overstated. The newly installed solar streetlights will serve as a vital layer of protection and reassurance for the people of Ika South. “This project is also a shining example of how community leaders can harness innovation to address local challenges. “By opting for solar power, NDDC has not only provided a reliable and cost-effective lighting solution but has also underscored the importance of sustainability and environmental consciousness’’

What this unique outcome and other positive vibes coming out from the agency, tells us is that the Niger Delta region has finally departed from an era of questions to a season of answers. Therefore, what the members of the NDDC’s governing board and management need in return for their efforts and commitment so far, is support and not vilification.

Utomi Jerome-Mario, a Media Expert Writes From Lagos, Nigeria. He could be reached via Jeromeutomi@yahoo.com or 08032725374.