In a recent development, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has reiterated the commitment of the new leadership to hastening the pace of development in the Niger Delta region. During a send-off party for the immediate top management staff in Port Harcourt, Ebie praised the NDDC management for honoring retired directors for their significant contributions.
“We intend to put in our best to ensure that we change the narrative concerning the NDDC and the poor perception of the Niger Delta region out there. But more importantly, we need to work as a team to bring the much-needed development to the region,” stated Ebie.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, encouraged both serving and retired staff to consider the agency as their common patrimony, emphasizing the need to protect it from unwarranted attacks. Ogbuku announced the approval of an annual Christmas package for all former directors, highlighting the importance of recognizing and rewarding the efforts of staff and retirees.
“I tagged this event ‘the unbroken chain’ because NDDC is a family and even for those who have retired, they must be respected and promoted for sacrificing the best part of their lives for the success of NDDC,” said Ogbuku, pledging that the NDDC Governing Board would ensure the prompt payment of all outstanding benefits to retired directors.
The Director of Administration and Human Resources, Mr. Patrick Ekade, described the send-off ceremony as a landmark event, being the first time the Commission formally celebrated its retirees. He explained that the NDDC aimed to make the retirement process less stressful, acknowledging the eight-year retirement policy of the Federal Government.
Responding on behalf of the retirees, former Acting Managing Director Engr Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua expressed gratitude to the NDDC Board and Management for recognizing their contributions and celebrating them even in retirement. He assured continued support for the NDDC’s efforts whenever called upon to assist.
This marks a significant step by the NDDC to enhance collaboration and foster a sense of unity within the organization, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of both current and retired staff members.
