PIND participated as one of the Panelists at an interactive session of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Policy Dialogue with Development Partners. The Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja event was tagged “Rethinking NDDC’s Mandate in the Context of Current Realities in The Niger Delta.”
The event brought together local & international development partners to dialogue on developing policies geared toward deepening public-private partnership collaborations towards the growth of the Niger Delta region.
The Executive Director of PIND, Mr. Tunji Idowu, responded to the question, what will development partners want to see from NDDC, State Governments, Ministry of Niger Delta, and BRACED Commission to enable a massive return of development partners to the Niger Delta?He noted that one of the first things development partners want to see is clarity in roles between government agencies. The development partners can step in to work, playing to everybody’s strengths. He reiterated, “When we (PIND) was set up, partnership was the bedrock of our approach. Partnerships and consortiums are never alone. That has got to be the direction that the NDDC wants to champion”.
According to Mr. Idowu, the NDDC mandates remain relevant; however, there is a need for effective and efficient execution to get the interest of development partners as worthwhile to invest further in the Niger Delta region. “When NDDC rises up, there will be no lack of those willing to support them. We are committed to working with you, and we are hopeful that this will be the dawn of a new beginning”.
When NDDC rises up, there will be no lack of those willing to support them. We are committed to working with you, and we are hopeful that this will be the dawn of a new beginning. – Tunji Idowu
