Peace critical to Niger Delta Development, NDDC boss

 

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, says that peace is paramount for the execution of projects and the rapid development of the Niger Delta region.

 Ogbuku stated this during the Capacity Building Training on Conflict Management and Peace building for the staff of the Commission in Port Harcourt.  He stated that building capacity among the work force in dispute and conflict resolution was necessary to achieve peace for development in the Niger Delta region.

 The Managing Director, who was represented by the Director Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, noted that conflict was something that could arise anytime and anywhere, hence it was necessary for the staff of the Commission to equip themselves with the needed capacity to enable them serve as peace ambassadors in the region.

The Acting Director, Dispute and Conflict Resolution, Mr.  Godwin Ogedegbe, affirmed that development could only thrive in a peaceful environment, noting that for the NDDC to achieve its primary goal of facilitating development in the Niger Delta region, it was imperative to have a platform for constant interaction and mediation with the people.

He stressed the need for peace ambassadors that will be responsible for resolution of conflicts between the Commission and communities or stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.

Ogedegbe stated: “The department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution was created to resolve conflicts within the region, restore peace, ensure peace building and management of communal disputes within the region. This is because without peace, there will be no meaningful development, economic growth, social stability and dividends of democracy in the region, in line with the mission of the NDDC. “

He attributed the successes achieved by the NDDC under the leadership of the current Board and Management to the establishment of Dispute and Conflict Resolution Department which had been playing the role of peace ambassadors.

 Also speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director, Impact for Global Change, Dr. (Mrs.) Naomi Akpan-Ita urged the NDDC to evolve other strategies that could foster lasting peace in communities in the course of its activities.

She said: “Conflict is part of life. With increased interaction, the likelihood of conflict is increased. In the event of conflicts therefore, the onus is on the Commission to handle them properly, to de-escalate such from getting to the point of crisis.”