TELL Magazine

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has formally returned the custody of its former headquarters building, Harold Dappa Biriye House, on Aba Road in Port Harcourt to the Rivers State Government.

The handover took place on Wednedsay when the Sole Administrator of the Commission,Afiong Akwa, handed over the keys of the building to the Secretary to the Rivers State government, Tami Danagogo.

A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Ibitiye Abosede, said the handover of the building concluded the phased movement of the Commission to its new headquarters at the Eastern Bypass.

Akwa thanked the Rivers State for accommodating the Commission for the past 16 years and said, “We are leaving this building peacefully and we are grateful to the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the assistance his administration has given to the NDDC, especially in the last two years.”

He said the construction of the Eastern Bypass Road linking the new headquarters of the Commission by the Rivers State Government was another evidence of the governor’s goodwill.

“Governor Wike has given us tremendous support. It is on record that during his tenure, we have not recorded any kidnapping of our staff and we have not had issues with youths disturbing our contractors,” the NDDC sole administrator said.

He said NDDC was leaving behind four lifts, a giant water tank and pumps, as well as fire-fighting equipment. He assured him that the Commission would continue to secure the property until the government assembles its own security team for the building.

The Rivers State SSG, Danagogo, commended the NDDC for cooperating with the Rivers State government and ensuring a friendly and peaceful hand over of the property. He expressed appreciation that the Interim Administrator came personally to hand over the keys. The SSG said, “It shows that you value the relationship NDDC has with the Rivers State Government and that you consider today’s event as a very significant ceremony. I am impressed by your candour and vibrancy.”

Danagogo remarked that the Rivers State government had always given support to Federal Government agencies in the state, especially under the administration of Governor Wike. He assured that the government would continue to support the NDDC to ensure that it succeeded with delivering on its mandate for the development of the Niger Delta region.

NDDC was paying an annual rent of N200million for the Harold Dappa-Biriye House to Rivers State Government before it moved into its own new headquarters building.