From Tony John, Port Harcourt
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dedicated an award received from the African Union Commission (AUC) to President Muhammadu Buhari.
In its first Africa Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) annual forum in Cairo, Egypt, at the weekend, the African Union (AU) awarded the NDDC the best “intervention agency for SMEs and livelihood support”.
AU’s acting Director for Industry, Minerals, Entrepreneurship and Tourism, Charles Chiumya, said NDDC was recognised for the maiden award for supporting and promoting SMEs and livelihood in the Niger Delta and Africa, particularly among women and youths.
Interim Administrator for NDDC, Effiong Akwa, who received the award attributed the latest feat by the agency to Buhari’s commitment to rebrand and restructure the commission for optimum performance.
Akwa, represented at the event by his Special Adviser on Youths and former commissioner in Bayelsa State, Udengs Eradiri, said the global recognition was an eloquent testimony that the NDDC despite its challenges, had over the years, impacted positively on the livelihood and economic empowerment of Niger Delta, Nigeria and Africa.
“This award is dedicated to President Buhari for his commitment to rebranding and restructuring the NDDC for optimum performance. I feel elated because truly, the NDDC, over the years, has been contributing immensely without blowing its trumpet to people’s wellbeing. Whereas some people, back home, throw stones at the NDDC, the commission’s positive impact is receiving global recognition.
“It means the NDDC has actually done well in developing the Niger Delta and also creating impact in the lives of its people.
“The NDDC has done a lot despite criticisms. Let’s cast our mind back to where we were before the creation of the NDDC and where we are today. Communities that didn’t have roads before are now accessible by roads. People now have access to healthcare, schools and most people’s lives have changed because of the NDDC.
“People who didn’t have water, light, jetties have them because of the interventions of the NDDC. While some people are throwing stones at home, internationally, we are getting recognition.”
Akwa said the award would motivate the NDDC to do more for the Niger Delta by reviewing qualities of its projects, programmes and infrastructures in line with the recommendations of the forensic audit report.