In Bomadi, Delta State, on Monday, President Jonathan again seemed to be saying that the era of dysfunction and distraction at the Niger Delta Development Commission and the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs was over.
Speaking at an audience with Bishop Hyacinth Egbebo of the Catholic Vicarage of Bomadi, the president assured that action will also be taken to ensure greater cooperation, collaboration and coordination between the Ministry and the NDDC in the interest of the people of the Niger Delta.
President Jonathan pointed out that the NDDC Board was recently dissolved and reconstituted because of institutional paralysis caused by internal strife amongst members of the dissolved board. The new leadership of the commission was cautioned by the president to be committed to the implementation of developmental projects that will benefit the ordinary people of the Niger Delta, who include residents of the Vicarage of Bomadi.
“Our approach will be different next year,” the president said. “We will make sure that the NDDC is better focused and does what is right for the people of the Niger Delta,” President Jonathan assured Bishop Egbebo who was accompanied by the Papal Nuncio to Nigeria, Dr. Augustine Kasujja.
He also pledged that there will be enhanced monitoring of the Federal Government’s developmental agencies in the Niger Delta to ensure that they fulfill their objectives.
Bishop Egbebo had recounted the deprivations being suffered by the people of Bomadi Vicarage and asked for intervention by the Federal Government to improve transportation, water supply, power supply, education and other social services in the area.
The Papal Nuncio conveyed greetings from Pope Benedict XVI to the President and presented him with a Christmas Card.