NDDC is for all Niger Deltans, Says Akwa

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reiterated the importance of giving opportunities to persons living with disability, in its efforts at making the development of the Niger Delta region integrative, inclusive and sustainable.

Speaking at the presentation of letters of engagement to twelve new employees of the Commission who are physically challenged in Port Harcourt, Interim Administrator/CEO of NDDC, Mr. Efiong Okon Akwa, said the Commission was determined to harness the potentials of all Niger Deltans in order to make the region a better place.

Mr. Akwa said that NDDC ‘is perhaps the first Federal Government agency to begin the implementation of the Act on persons living with disability which was passed into law in 2019,’ adding: ‘This shows that we are human and we understand and care for others, thereby impacting the lives of people in the region, regardless of their physical condition.’

Mr. Akwa noted
that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, who forwarded government’s
approval for the engagement, had stated that

‘President Muhammadu Buhari
is aware of what you are passing through and is doing his best to
ensure that government stands by you. It is not your choice to live with
disability.’

He added:

‘It is a condition you found
yourselves in. But it will not stop you from adding your quota to the
development of the Niger Delta, Nigeria and humanity.’

Also
speaking at the ceremony, the Director of Human Resources of the
Commission, Barr. Silas Anyanwu, said that;

‘this is an epoch-making
event, because the NDDC has shown, as perhaps the first government
agency to give employment to persons living with disability, that we are
mindful of all Niger Deltans, and that we are prepared to work with
everyone to develop this region.’

He called on them to
give their best in their duties, stating that while the Commission will
provide every support to make their work easier,

‘no one would receive
any special favours or considerations. It is important for you to know
that we expect the best from you, because to whom much is given, much is
expected.’

The regional chairman of the Joint
Association of People Living with Disability, Mr. Simon Bidei, thanked
the Commission for coming to the aid of persons living with disability,
noting that ‘it was the first of its kind.’

He stated:

‘NDDC has made history today, by giving us the opportunity to serve. We
are grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, to the honourable minister
and the interim administrator for remembering us and knowing that we are
living with capability.’

He called on other
organisations to emulate NDDC, noting that the Commission had taken into
consideration the needs of persons living with disability in
constructing the new headquarters building.