By
Dan Etokidem
Stubbornness
could be a virtue or a vice. It all depends on its application and the existing
realities of time. Therefore, every leader requires a measure of stubbornness
to be successful. A successful leader is that who is righteously stubborn. That
is, he who knows when not to shift ground on issues of public trust, adherence
to globally acceptable standards and due process.
When
His Excellency, Obong Nsima Ekere took oath of office on November 4,2016 as the
Managing Director of NDDC, expectations were high and limitations monumental.
He knew he had a daunting, if not intimidating task to accomplish, yet his
sagacity was in abundance coupled with his patriotic zeal, passion,
determination and reformative spirit. His mind was already made up to reform
the governance systems and change the narrative of the Commission no matter the
odds and obstacles, even if he has to step on toes to get the job done.
The
date was Thursday, September 28, 2017, the time was 12 noon prompt, the venue
was the Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt. The event was a meeting between the
MD NDDC with Project Consultants of the Commission's ongoing infrastructural
development projects.
This
meeting with Consultants was therefore decisive and a turning point between
irreversible progress his reforms since coming on board has brought to bare in
the new ways of doing things of which all stakeholders must key into or utter
rumination of the NDDC, a trend he had vowed to change.
"NDDC
will no longer accept low-quality projects from contractors", he warned.
“This meeting is very critical and very important to me.....The narrative of
low standard projects by NDDC has to change. It is necessary that our projects
be the best", he advocated.
For
a man poised to changing the narrative in view of the demonstrable
unprofessionalism by some Consultants in recent past, he disclosed that the
NDDC since its inception has awarded contracts for about 8,558 projects across
the region, but the commission has so far cancelled over 600 contracts. That's
not all. "The commission was about to cancel another set of non-performing
contracts", he declared.
Hate
him or love him, he's determined to make a difference. Hear him, "We must
do things differently. We cannot continue to perform below expectations. There
is no other option". Then he gave the paradigm shift and agenda setting of
the new order. “We must redefine our standards and be faithful to globally
acceptable standards and compel our contractors to abide by them. Every design
and budget must be project-specific. Our contractors and consultants should
think sustainability.”
To
the former Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, the meeting was not only a stark
reminder of the route towards reforms the Consultants must travel, but how
necessary it must be that they travel it in line with his vision for the NDDC.
Even his audience could not but admire the elegance of his vision, the force of
his argument and the potential for a regional rebirth in the Niger Delta region
if implemented with patriotism and professionalism.
The
NDDC boss determined to face the conditions and problems on the ground as they
are, not as he hopes or wishes them to be, admitted that in times past payment
for projects was a major impediment towards achieving the goal and mandate of
the Commission. As a way out, he informed the consultants that the NDDC was
making arrangement for them, as well as the contractors, to get their payment
promptly.
Then
came the time to read the riot act which he did in a tone that was blunt, frank
and reformative. Ekere warned the consultants to desist from the sharp practice
of issuing certification for projects that have not been executed. He also
warned contractors not to accept to handle a project that doesn’t come with
appropriate design.
But
there was another good news for both Contractors and the Niger Delta region. He
stated that the Commission is devoting 70 per cent of its budget to the
completion of on-going projects in the Niger Delta region and that only 30 per
cent of the budget would go into new projects to enable the Commission
restructure its over-bloated balance sheet.
While
admitted that the Commission was saddled with huge liabilities and thus,
efforts were being made to reduce the number of on-going projects, Mr Ekere
told the consultants that henceforth NDDC would insist on using only proper
designs on all its projects to ensure quality and timely delivery. He added:
“To achieve different results for our projects, we must be prepared to do
things differently. We must redefine our standards to globally acceptable
standards, and compel our contractors to abide by them. We must, indeed,
collectively, reaffirm a commitment to do what is right and proper, at all
times.”
The
NDDC Managing Director affirmed that henceforth designs for projects must be
proper and complete before execution, stressing that “the old practice of
working from answer to question will no longer obtain in the Commission. We can
no longer afford to put the cart before the horse.”
He
urged the consultants to ensure close supervision of all projects, while
insisting on the integrity and professional competence of all those engaged in
project monitoring and supervision. As key partners, he affirmed that
consultants were the livewire of the projects cycle, adding: “Every project
begins and ends with you. What you offer defines the strength and quality of
every project.”
According
to Ekere, the NDDC since inception had awarded a total of 8,558 projects across
the region in various categories. According to him, the breakdown included
3,529 roads/bridges; 264 jetty/shore protection; 205 canalisation and
reclamation; I, 574 energy and power supply; I, 173 water supply. Others are I,
707 buildings, such as schools, civic centres, hospitals; 38 flood and erosion
control, as well as equipping and furnishing of 68 building facilities.
How
far will these new reforms impact on the goal of realising the core mandate of
the NDDC and change the lives of the inhabitants of the region? Only time will
tell but one thing is certain, as far as the Ekere led board is concerned, its
business unusual in NDDC today.
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