Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday inaugurated two projects undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Bayelsa.
The projects are the NDDC Renewed Hope one thousand capacity Multipurpose Training Centre and Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Otupkpoti in Ogbia Local Government Area and NDDC Bayelsa State Office in Yenagoa.
Olukoyede noted with delight that the two projects being inaugurated were proceeds from recovered funds which were returned to the NDDC.
He expressed satisfaction over the judicious utilization of the funds, promising further release of more funds recovered from the interventionist agency.
Minister of Regional Development, Mr Abubakar Momoh who commended the Bayelsa government for its continued support to federal agencies such as the NDDC, enjoined other States to emulate such partnership for rapid development.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC. Dr Samuel Ogbuku said the ultra modern State Office of the Commission was named after the first civilian Governor of the old Rivers State, the late Senator Melford Okilo who was among those that played a critical role in the establishment of the agency.
Speaking at the event, Gov Douye Diri of Bayelsa called on all political and public office holders to unite to attract development to states.
Diri emphasised the need for states to work with the Federal government and international partners to solve environmental challenges such as perennial flooding, erosion and pollution.
Diri noted that his approach to taking development has yielded dividends with the collaboration seeing the Federal government taking over the construction of the Nembe-Brass road.
There were goodwill messages from the Senate and House of Representatives Committees on the NDDC at the events alongside other stakeholders.