A Niger Delta based research and development think tank, Center for Energy and Development Policy Research (CEDPR) has cautioned Ministers of Niger Delta origin to and other politicians from the region cease interfering and dictating to the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and allow the development agency to fulfill it’s mandate, which is to work for the people of the region.

The group in a statement issued in Port Harcourt and signed by Prince Joshua Ovoh (Coordinator) and Comrade Ralph Zabbey ( Trustee), noted that undue interference and meddlesomnes by political leaders in the past, especially Ministers who hail from the region has often derialed the agency from focusing on its core mandate of developing the region.

The group noted that the current leadership of NDDC under Dr. Samuel Ugbuku has displayed a commitment to revitalizing and refocusing the agency in aggressively tackling the major development problems confronting the region.

The group warned that the era when politicians saw the NDDC as an ATM machine will not be allowed to return as the group will utilize any means available within the law to challenge and prevent that.

The group noted that under the leadership of Dr. Sam Ugbuku, NDDC has Intensified Project Monitoring & Evalution for Improved Service Delivery.

According to Prince Joshua Ovoh, the coordinator of the group, “reports from our field monitors indicate that Dr. Ugbuku and his team are making all the right moves especially in the area of provision of critical infrastructure. For isnance in Akure, Ondo State, NDDC has Completed the internal roads rehabilitation project at Ijapo Estate and has provided Solar powered street lights in the D/Line Area of Port Harcourt, in Rivers State.

The group therefore demanded improved funding and granting of executive powers to the NDDC, to enable it perform better.