Head of Civil Service of the Federation Applaud NDDC Digitization Initiative
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU
Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson -Jack, says Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC’s ongoing Digitization initiative is in line With Federal Civil Service Policy Directive.
Mrs. Walson -Jack who made this known during a courtesy visit by National Council on Establishment to NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt Rivers State, noted that the move by NDDC was in response to the directive that Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs should go paperless by December.
The Head of Civil Service who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Ishiayaku Muhammed maintained that there was need for collaboration with the commission because all establishment policies of the Federal Government affects the Interventionist Agency.
She explained the it was necessary to take into consideration staff welfare, training and capacity building among staff to ensure growth in service.
Mrs. Walson -Jack applauded NDDC for initiatives and reform policies the commission has taken in recent times to enhance development of the oil rich region.
Addressing the delegation, Managing Director NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku who said present NDDC management has transformed the commission and gained public trust, asserted that staff welfare was given priority to motivate the work force for efficient service delivery.
Represented by Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, the Managing Director told them that the commission was going paperless by Digitization of transactions, including procurement processes.
On project delivery, The NDDC Boss, revealed that over six hundred kilometers of Road has been completed in the last three years in addition to bridges in parts of the region, while one of the longest Bridges in the country, the one point two kilometers Kaa Ataba Bridge would soon be completed and Inaugurated.
While giving assurance of collaboration between NDDC and Governors of mandate states that gave rise to notable projects across the region, Dr. Ogbuku noted that the commission has enjoyed fruitful partnership with development partners such as Shell, NLNG and Chevron to execute landmark projects that have direct positive impacts on the people.
He expressed joy that in human capital development, the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme was revitalized and has been expanded to include local post graduate scheme, accommodating six hundred additional beneficiaries.
Dr. Ogbuku stated that over six billion Naira has been injected into small scale business enterprises in the region through the establishment of Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, to facilitate economic growth and poverty eradication.
According to the NDDC Chief Executive Officer, a lot has been achieved in the health sector such as building and equipping of medical centers, in addition to Free Medical outreaches to cater for the healthcare needs of the region.
Ogbuku explained that oil production was in the region of 800 barrels per day when the present leadership took over, but through collaboration with security agencies and intervention activities that engaged the youths, oil theft reduced , paving way for increased oil production to about one point four million barrels per day output presently.
The Managing Director stated that Light up Niger Delta Solar Street light programme has been successful, illuminating the communities and reducing insecurity.
Among the delegation for the courtesy visit were Heads of Service of State Governments across the country who are in Rivers State for their Council Meeting, including the Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi Brown.
