… Commends NDDC for Collaboration with Bayelsa University
The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri has commissioned a 1,000KVA power-generating plant donated by the Niger Development Commission (NDDC) to the Niger Delta University (NDU) at the Wilberforce Island, Amassoma.
Governor Diri also performed the groundbreaking ceremony of the model hostel building project sponsored by the federal interventionist agency, for the state-owned premier university.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the NDU main campus, Wilberforce Island, Governor Diri commended the management of the NDDC for providing the institution with the power plant as well as awarding the contract for the 500-bed space hostel project.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, also thanked the Commission for adding value to the university by donating a 36-seater Coaster bus to the state’s premier university.
He said the state government was quite impressed with the good gesture of the NDDC under its current sole administrator, Dr. Effiong Akwa, and expressed the hope that there would be more collaboration between NDDC and the NDU.
The Bayelsa Chief Executive, however, remarked that the state was eagerly looking forward to seeing the inauguration of a substantive board of the Commission in compliance with the NDDC Act.
His words, “I believe this collaboration that has started will continue to be successful. It is better we collaborate and cooperate, rather than compete. I am happy the new NDDC is having the spirit of cooperation with our state.
“We are happy that you have made some on-the-spot commitments for the NDU and we always believe that you can do more for us.
“We are happy with what you are doing, but it will be better if we move further from what it used to be, to what it ought to be. We are looking forward to the inauguration of the NDDC board that will give it all the powers to operate.”
Speaking earlier at the ceremony, the Sole Administrator of the NDDC, Dr. Effiong Akwa, pointed out that the NDU had contributed immensely to the human capacity development of not just the Niger Delta alone, but also the entire country.
Dr. Effiong who commended the Vice Chancellor of the NDU for clear focus, said the NDDC would look into some of the demands from the institution, and charged the management of NDU to make investments in aquaculture, farming and research for self-sustenance.
In his welcome remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Professor Samuel Edoumiekumo, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for providing the power plant, Coaster Bus, and the awarding of the 500-bed space hostel project.
Professor Edoumiekumo , however, requested the Commission to construct an access road to link some of the faculties. supply three tractors for agricultural production, as well as increase the solar panels from about 250 to 2,000 to light up the campus.
