From John Silas, Lagos
The Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Mr Chiedu Ebie, has assured that the Commission is poised to make more significant impact in the development of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at the Two-Day Board and Management Retreat of the NDDC, in Ikeja, Lagos State, Ebie stated that collaboration and partnership were paramount for the NDDC’s and the ministry’s success.
The retreat, which attracted members of the National Assembly, past chairmen and managing directors of the NDDC and key stakeholders, had the theme: “Repositioning NDDC for Efficient Service Delivery.”
He said: We remain guided by the clarion call of the Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, as we align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. The eight presidential priorities encompassing food security, poverty eradication, job creation, and the fight against corruption, serve as our roadmap toward a brighter and more prosperous Niger Delta.@
NDDC 2025 Retreat
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer noted that the Commission was determined to make the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government a reality in the Niger Delta region. He restated his commitment to the mandate given to the Commission by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region
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According to him, “The President gave us a matching order during our inauguration to positively turn things around in the Niger Delta region. The Board and Management have worked vigorously to meet Mr. President’s expectations. Six months after our inauguration, we were able to commission some significant projects as part of the one-year anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.
He recalled that between May 18 and May 28 this year, the NDDC commissioned five major development projects across the Niger Delta region. He said this included the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia -Nembe Road, constructed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC. The road, with seven bridges and 50 culverts, connects 14 communities in Bayelsa State.
“Similarly, we commissioned the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Ibeno LOcal Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as well as the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West LGA of Abia State.
He said in the area of electricity, “We commissioned the 45-km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State. This electrification project supplies light to the 25 local governments in darkness for 15 years. We also inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State.”
The Managing Director affirmed that the Commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the task of developing the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region, noting: “It is not only by our efforts, it is a synergy and combined efforts from all the stakeholders who believe the time has come when there should be stability in the NDDC and that stability is a challenge to us to ensure that we deliver development to the people of the Niger Delta region.”
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transformational leadership and accountability. He stated that NDDC engaged the globally renowned audit firm KPMG to review its operations and that the report’s recommendations would be fully implemented to enhance transparency and efficiency.
He emphasized that data would drive all NDDC programmes to ensure proper monitoring and equitable distribution of benefits. Regarding the Commission’s youth empowerment initiative, he confirmed that payments to registered beneficiaries would commence this month.
Ogbuku highlighted recent strides in infrastructure, particularly road projects. He disclosed that the Auchi-Benin road, a vital economic artery in the Niger Delta, had been prioritised for intervention. In contrast, the Auchi-Eruwe road had been completed and was now in good condition. Additionally, work on the Port Harcourt-Owerri road had progressed to the asphalting stage, and the Agbor-Uromi road would soon receive attention.
The NDDC boss said that the Commission engaged International Oil Companies (IOCs) to attract partnerships for large-scale projects. “We are collaborating with Nigeria LNG (NLNG) to facilitate the construction of the Bonny Ring Road. Other major road projects are also in progress, including the Kaa-Ataba and Borokiri-Okrika roads,” he said.
Acknowledging the region’s high demand for solar power projects, Ogbuku announced that NDDC would explore building solar mini-grids in collaboration with electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
He noted that 2025 would mark NDDC’s 25th anniversary, with a series of activities planned, including the commissioning of completed projects, noting: “A major highlight will be the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival, aimed at fostering regional integration and developing amateur sporting talents. Akwa Ibom State will host the festival.
“All abandoned projects will be revisited in line with the directive of Mr. President. The NDDC has achieved a lot, and we are proud to celebrate not just the Commission but the people of the Niger Delta.”
“We regularised the NDDC Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme, which has benefitted 2,700 students. Numerous schools have been rehabilitated, and educational materials, such as the U-Lesson Educational tablets, were distributed to foster learning and equip the young ones with skills and knowledge to drive the region’s future.
The Commission has modified the NDDC Youth Volunteer Programme into a Youth Internship Programme. Ten thousand youths will be attached to organisations for one year to learn different skills while the Commission pays them N50,000 monthly stipends.
