A coalition of non-governmental organizations met in Port Harcourt on Tuesday June 14, 2022, to holistically take a look at the proposed NDDC amendment Act with a view to making necessary inputs.
The one-day workshop with the theme; “Enhancing Anti Corruption and Social inclusive Reform in Nigeria”, facilitated by African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) with support from USAID was well attended.
The program which held at Juanita Hotel, Old GRA, Port Harcourt also, had the Deputy Director of NDDC, Dr Peterson Ogon, and leadership of ANEEJ, the representatives of various NGOs in the six states that make up the NDDC, namely;Rivers, Abia, Imo, Ondo, Delta, Edo, Akwa Ibom, etc.
Barr Nosa Tokumbo, who presented a paper, titled, ” Analysis of the NDDC Act, Identification of Gaps And Recommendations For Amendment” pointed out some areas that according to him, are not people-oriented, hence the need to take a second look at them. These, he said include, the appointment of Executive Directors and Deputy Directors of the commission, the statute of limitation which bars aggrieved parties from taking legal action against erring staff of NDDC, among others.
Earlier in the Managing Director’s welcome address presented by the Senior Manager of ANEEJ, Innocent Edemharia , the NGO explained that their project is on anti-corruption which has sailed through the Anchor Cluster Model adopted Palladium to promote and engage in anti corruption policy reforms.
He also stated that ANEEJ received grant on the Scale Project as an Anchor Organization working with eight cluster organizations spread across six states and the Federal Capital Territory, namely, Abia, Edo, Delta, Imo, Ondo, Rivers and then FCT.
Ha further stated that,”the SCALE project is a 5-year project being implemented by Palladium and its resource partners with funds from USAID. It is designed to enhance local civil society organizations’ ability to be positive and responsible change agents in Nigeria.
“The Enhancing Anti-corruption and Social Inclusive Reform Initiatives in Nigeria project is designed following the anchor cluster model adopted by Palladium to promote and engage in anti-corruption policy reforms.
“The cluster organisations are: 21st Century Community Empowerment for youth and Women Initiative, Abuja; Community Empowerment and Development Initiative (CEDI), Warri, Delta State; Community Heritage Watch for Development Initiative, (KAI) Akure, Ondo State; Christian Fellowship and Care Foundation (CFCF), Owerri, Imo State; Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development (FENRAD), Aba, Abia State; Gender and Development Action (GADA) Port-Harcourt, Rivers State; Joint Association of Persons with Disability (JONAPWD) Edo State Chapter; and New Apostolic Church Centre for Development (NCD), Benin City, Edo State.
“We consider this project as an important one that seeks to promote and engage in anti-corruption policy reforms at both the national and sub-national levels with an ultimate goal of strengthening governance to deliver development goals to citizens, particularly in addressingg poverty and inequality amongst our people.”
Finally,he appreciated the participants for their time, efforts and sacrifices.
