Oborevwori urges NDDC to partner Delta, other states on road infrastructure

Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to forge stronger partnerships with state governments in the region to tackle the worsening state of federal roads, which he said continue to impose severe hardship on residents and businesses.

The governor made the appeal on Friday during the inauguration of the new NDDC State Office in Warri, Delta State.

The inauguration of the edifice marked a symbolic moment for the Commission and the host state, with the governor describing the new structure as a testament to shared responsibility, institutional renewal, and a commitment to inclusive development.

Addressing guests at the event, Oborevwori emphasised that sustained progress in the Niger Delta would require more than isolated efforts.

According to him, tackling the pressing challenges in the region—ranging from decaying infrastructure and limited healthcare access to education gaps and youth empowerment demands coordinated and proactive partnerships between federal agencies like the NDDC and state governments.

He specifically urged the Commission to direct urgent attention to the rehabilitation of failed federal roads, many of which have become death traps and economic bottlenecks.

Citing the Warri/Sapele/Benin Road as a prime example, the governor disclosed that his administration had already committed N35.7 billion to reconstruct a critical stretch of the highway, from Effurun Roundabout through the Spare Parts Market to beyond the Ohore Junction.

He stressed the importance of the road as a major artery connecting Delta to neighbouring states such as Bayelsa, Rivers, and Cross River.

Governor Oborevwori also expressed interest in partnering with the NDDC on other key infrastructural projects, including the long-awaited Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road.

He revealed that discussions were already underway, with a high-level meeting scheduled next month between the state government, Chevron Nigeria Limited, and the Commission to chart a roadmap for implementation.

While acknowledging the efforts of NDDC’s current leadership, the governor commended the Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for what he described as a focused and purposeful approach to development.

He also praised the new NDDC State Office as a symbol of renewed purpose and institutional strength.

Governor Oborevwori took the opportunity to applaud President Bola Tinubu’s administration for the Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has boosted financial stability for states, encouraged greater inclusion, and rekindled public trust in government.

He proudly stated that Delta State remained fiscally disciplined, disclosing that it does not owe contractors and is not currently borrowing for infrastructure projects.

“No state in Nigeria pays contractors faster than we do in Delta. We are committed to transparency, accountability, and value for money, ” he said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, reaffirmed President Tinubu’s directive that the NDDC must complete all abandoned projects across the region.

According to the Minister, many of these long-delayed initiatives have now been completed and commissioned under the current administration.

Highlighting some of the milestones recorded so far, Momoh mentioned the restoration of electricity to Okitipupa in Ondo State after 15 years of blackout, the construction of vital bridges and power substations, as well as the rollout of several health and education projects across the Niger Delta.

The Minister also charged NDDC staff to maintain the new Warri office building and conduct themselves with professionalism and impartiality.

He stressed that the Commission must serve all communities across the region fairly and without political bias.

In his remarks, NDDC Board Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with Delta and other Niger Delta governments to deliver lasting development.

Ebie noted that the 7th Governing Board, constituted by President Tinubu, has already taken significant steps to strengthen internal governance, including the adoption of a new transparency framework developed in collaboration with global consulting firm KPMG.

The Managing Director of the Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, echoed similar sentiments, describing the new office as a physical representation of the NDDC’s shift “from transactions to transformation.”

He said the Warri project was one of several similar initiatives currently underway across the region.

Ogbuku also revealed ongoing collaborations between the NDDC and the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on major infrastructure investments estimated at over N650 billion.

These include the construction of roads and bridges aimed at unlocking economic potential in underdeveloped areas of the region.

He assured that the Commission remained committed to transparency, timely project delivery, and meaningful stakeholder engagement that will translate to real benefits for communities in the Niger Delta.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including the Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong; Chairperson of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu; traditional rulers; senior government officials; and community leaders.