Dakolo Urges New NDDC Board Members to Redeem Agency’s Integrity

Emma Okonji and Nosa Alekhuogie

The Chairman, Bayelsa Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, has urged the newly appointed members of the Board and Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to redeem the lost glory of the commission, after it had allegedly lost its integrity to corruption in the past 18 years.

Dakolo, who expressed optimism for a new direction of the NDDC under its present leadership, said he believed in the integrity of the new members to turn around the fortune of NDDC.

Dakolo, spoke yesterday as a guest on ‘The Morning Show’ on ARISE NEWS Channels, the broadcast arm of THISDAY Newspapers, shared his perspective on the commission, acknowledging its historical failures in the past 18 years.

He addressed the past reputation of the NDDC as a ‘show of shame’ due to its failure to deliver on its mandates over the past two decades.

He however said the emergence of the new managing director, Samuel Ogbuku, has initiated significant innovation and changes within the commission to enhance its effectiveness.

He credited Ogbuku’s leadership with instilling renewed hope for positive outcomes in the region and commended the NDDC for finally stepping up, after many years of disappointment.

Lamenting the significant number of failed projects and the misappropriation of a substantial portion of the N20 trillion allocated to the NDDC’s projects, Dakolo criticised the commission for not fully realising its intended benefits.

According to him, NDDC’s core mission was to collaborate with state and local governments, bridging developmental gaps and propelling states towards. accelerated growth.

While acknowledging the solid legal framework on which the NDDC was founded, Dakolo decried the commission’s historical manipulation for political patronage, which has compromised its effectiveness and thwarted genuine progress. He however expressed confidence that the current board was poised to disrupt the cycle and drive meaningful change.

Regarding the composition of the present NDDC board, Dakolo affirmed his personal familiarity with two board members, expressing his belief in their capabilities. Despite individual strengths, he identified systemic issues within the Nigerian government that have perpetuated the NDDC’s struggles. He urged law enforcement agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and State Criminal Investigation Department (State CID), to act decisively to uphold legality and accountability.

Highlighting the overarching influence wielded by authorities in Abuja, and those with budgetary control, Dakolo criticised the current state of affairs. He said it was as a result of political patronage, where he said nearly $100 billion purportedly disappeared into private pockets, rather than are serving the intended purpose of regional development.

In pursuit of transparency and reform, Dakolo endorsed the release of the forensic audit report as a crucial step in the right direction.

He emphasised the importance of recovering funds from those who had misappropriated Nigeria’s resources, acknowledging that the effort may ruffle feathers but is essential for a fresh start. He attributed challenges to the manipulation of the NDDC board by lawmakers, emphasising the need for a more balanced and responsible approach.