By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed an agreement with Klynveld Peat Marwick Geordeler (KPMG), to provide advisory services to enhance internal operations of the commission.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku expressed optimism the partnership would rebuild the commission’s negative image.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that KPMG is a global business management organization that provides audit, tax, and consultancy services to organisations.
Ogbuku said the partnership with KPMG was part of ongoing efforts to engage with developmental partners and donor agencies to achieve the commission’s mandate of developing the Niger Delta.
He said, “This agreement marks the rebirth of NDDC, considering the commission has gone through different stages of turmoil while being called all sorts of names over the years.
“The name calling has made it look as if NDDC has not been a serious organisation. But we take this up as a challenge.
“NDDC is not a complete failure as it seems, but for us to do things differently, we must ensure that it is done according to international best practices.
Ogbuku said the engagement of KPMG was in tandem with President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to transparency and good governance.
“So, we believe that by committing to this agreement that KPMG will provide advisory services for governance, to launch NDDC into the international level of acceptance.
“We are ready to be regulated internally, meaning that our processes are going to comply with international best practices according to the KPMG standard.
“Our desire is to create standards as well as strengthen the commission, so that whatever we leave behind, it will be difficult for anybody to undo it.
“So today, we are telling the world that NDDC has been reborn, and for them to change whatever impression they have about the commission,” he added.
The managing director said the internal regulations formulated by KPMG would be followed strictly as signed in the agreement.
He said the commission was also looking at visiting more international organisations to solicit their partnership in technical support as part of ongoing reform of NDDC.
Earlier, the Lead Partner and Head, Governance Processes of KPMG, Mr Tolu Odukale, said the global firm would deploy its expertise and experiences to enable NDDC to become accountable and transparent.
“So, we are delighted as this partnership will boost the confidence of investors and development partners in dealing with NDDC,” he noted. (NAN)
