Remove us from TSA, NDDC begs FG

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has appealed to the federal government to remove it from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

TSA is a financial policy that consolidates all inflows from all agencies of government into a single account at the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said TSA was stifling the funding operations of the agency.

He stated this at a two-day retreat of the commission in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State with the theme, “Renewed Hope: A New Era for Vitality, Peace and Development”.

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Ogbuku said though the TSA has its advantages, it is a one-size-fits-all approach that poses challenges to the region’s diverse operational landscape.

He stated that the past leadership of the NDDC recorded more achievements before the TSA era, adding that there was a need to address the issue of financial framework for effective service delivery.

“While we embrace the TSA transparency goals, its centralised control has undoubtedly created hurdles, particularly in maintaining project pace. The limited construction window further compounds these challenges.

“To truly deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda, we need to remove the funding impediments. We advocate the removal of the NDDC from operating under the TSA framework due to the commission’s unique characteristics and the potential benefits of increased autonomy in financial management,” he said.

The Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh, said those factors that constitute a clog in the wheel of development and programme of the commission should be tackled.

“If we must make any headway in charting the desired roadmap for sustainable development of the region, all hands must be on deck with every courage it deserves to tackle those factors that constitute a clog in the wheel of development, programme, and policies,” he said.