Speaking yesterday, during the virtual inauguration of the
NDDC Prototype Hostel at the University of Uyo, the president declared, “The
serial abuse, lack of delivery and what had become an entrenched institutional
decay, was the reason why I called for the forensic audit.
“Therefore, going forward, we shall ensure every recoverable
kobo is recovered for use in service of the people of this region and those
found culpable shall face the law.”
He regretted that a few people had squandered the special
development fund for the region for more than 20 years, leaving many in penury.
The president stated, “The Niger Delta Development
Commission needs to demonstrate that it can achieve the objectives it was
conceived for and make its impact felt all over the Niger Delta Region.
“The lives of the people of the Niger Delta could be so much
better, if the funding received by this commission since its inception, in
billions of naira over the last 20 years, have been judiciously deployed in
service of the people.
“Consequently, I want to use the opportunity of this
commissioning to direct all statutory contributors to the NDDC to remit all
outstanding funds to the Commission, and to ensure this is done transparently
and according to laid down procedure and process.”
Buhari also directed that all abandoned projects that
directly impacted the livelihood of the people should be revived and completed.
He explained, “When I directed the Minister of Niger Delta
Affairs to institute a forensic audit of the commission, after many
representations by major stakeholders in the Niger Delta, I had also directed
that all viable projects, which had been abandoned, but which would impact
positively on the lives and livelihoods of the people, be immediately revived
and completed”
The president noted that the contract for the building of
1,050 capacity hostel for male and female students was awarded in 2004, saying
like many others, it was abandoned.
According to him, “This prototype university hostel consists
of 1,050 bed spaces, 525 each for males and females, and is furnished to meet
the needs of a university student. The complex also boasts of significant hard
and soft infrastructure to ensure its sustainability and durability.
“The completion of this structure is equally in recognition
of the importance government attaches to providing quality housing and improved
education for all Nigerians.
“It is, therefore, another important proof that this
administration is committed to satisfying the needs of the people, throughout
Nigeria, and fulfilling their expectations. Government must continue in its
efforts to serve the people, by providing amenities, as well as the enabling
environment for scholarships, investments across all sectors, for sustenance of
the environment, and overall growth of the economy.
“Significant part of this success story is that it could
easily not have happened. The contract for this hostel was awarded as far back
as 2004. It was one of many projects abandoned across the Niger Delta region,
but which I directed the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill
Akpabio, to expeditiously complete and put to use.”
Furthermore, Buhari said across many public universities and
institutions of higher learning, students faced accommodation challenges, while
private investors took advantage of the gap to provide accommodation,
unfortunately, tasking the resources of parents and guardians.
He said, “Many of them are located far away from school
premises and come with their own peculiar challenges. It is good that such an infrastructure
gap is being addressed, by providing accommodation for students that would be
affordable, well built, and in a secure environment.”
The president noted that the vice president, Professor Yemi
Osinbajo, had on his behalf commissioned the Special Protections Unit Base 6
Barracks in Omagwa, Rivers State, which was built and donated to the Nigeria
Police by the Niger Delta Development Commission.
He said, “Firstly, and as stated at that occasion, the
complex is part of a crucial component of the major reform we are undertaking
with the Nigerian Police Force. While we are working to increase the number of
police personnel, within set yearly targets, and re-equip personnel, both in
personal gear and hardware, accommodation remains an important feature of that
reform.
“Indeed, it showed that we can alleviate the accommodation
challenges of senior security personnel in order to enhance security in the
region.
“Secondly, this singular intervention demonstrates that NDDC
understands the importance of government’s effort at improving the lives and
livelihoods of our police officers, in line with my directive that building of
barracks for men and women of the police force should be done in collaboration
with the Special Housing effort of the Family Home funds.”
Earlier in his speech, Akpabio said the completion of the
NDDC headquarters complex and other projects clearly showed the president’s
commitment to improving the livelihood of people in the Niger Delta.
He added, “President Buhari is focused on development of
Nigeria and the Niger Delta. The president wants to ensure that by the time he
leaves office, the NDDC is repositioned to live up to the expectations of the
founding fathers.”
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, who was
represented by the Commissioner for Power and Petroleum Development, Dr. John
Etim, praised the president over the completion and commissioning of the
hostel.
Speaking also, Sole Administrator of NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa,
thanked the president for honouring the institution by commissioning three
projects in a year.
“The three projects have one thing in common, they were all
abandoned before the forensic audit,” Effiong added.