The newly-inaugurated Rivers State representative at the Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Tony Okocha, has decried uncompleted projects in the state.
Okocha stated this during an interactive session with staff of the Commission as he formally resumed office at the State office of the NDDC at Olu-Obasanjo Road, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

He promised to visit abandoned project sites to ascertain why they were stalled, adding that he will effectively push for their completion.

He regretted that NDDC over the years have not been able to achieve the purpose for which it was created, which is development of the Niger Delta.

Okocha also promised to hold town hall meetings with Rivers people to enable him have knowledge of their pressing needs so as present them adequately at the board

“I am not an arm chair administrator, even in the sphere of politics where I come from I am not an arm chair politician. I will have the opportunity of visiting those sites to have first-hand information and knowledge of what they are, the extent of work so that I will be able to present before the Board,” he said.

Okocha, who was the former Chief of Staff to Rivers State government, assured that his representation at the Board will attract what is due the state to the people.

He called on staff of the commission to collaborate with him in order to attract the needed development to the state.

He said: “I am here with all of you this morning with all sincerity of purpose and the highest sense of responsibility. I have come to pay obeisance to all of you in your rights because I believe that respect is reciprocal. I believe that there will be no me without you, I believe that in one accord and in synergy we will be able to catapult Rivers NDDC to greater heights.

“I am the new helmsman as appointed by His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinibu, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I’m billed to represent Rivers State on that Board. That Board is a Tact-Team, not neophytes. On that Board are very distinguished Nigerians of high repute so when we had the privilege of our names being mentioned, it’s a challenge and I will rest assure you that whatever is due us as a state, we will get.

“We will not go there to boot-lick, we will not go there to surrogate, we will go there because we know our rights. We are taught that within the ambit of your rights you don’t request, you demand.

“So, that which will be our right I will demand and those that will be privileges I will request. But I cannot achieve that without you. So I have come to seek your cooperation, I have come to seek your understanding, I have come to humble myself before you in the manner I come.”

Earlier, Project Director of the State NDDC Board, Theophilus Alagoa, assured Okocha of staff support and collaboration.