The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is marking its 25th anniversary, highlighting its achievements, challenges and institutional reforms.
NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, outlined the commission’s progress over the past two years, emphasisng transparency, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration.
At a world press conference in Asaba on Monday, NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said, ”We have led a strategic paradigm shift, embracing new approaches centered on transparency, accountability and stakeholder collaboration to reposition the NDDC as a development catalyst rather than a bureaucratic entity”.
“Through the initiative of the board and management, we have re-structured the administrative architecture of the commission back to its 13 statutory directorates”, he added.
The 13 statutory directives of the NDDC, as outlined in the NDDC Act of 2000, are focused on facilitating the rapid, even, and sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
These directives encompass a wide range of activities aimed at addressing the region’s unique challenges and promoting its overall well-being.
The MD also said, “The board was able to formalised a value-driven institutional culture anchored on ethics and performance
”We commissioned five flagship projects across five states within 10 days in May 2024, including roads, bridges and power infrastructure, which include: the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe road in Abia State.
”Others are the 27km Ogbia Nembe road in Bayelsa State; the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-
He also accounted that the commission constructed modern primary jealthcare centers, revived free medical programmes delivering over 20,000 sugeries, treating 45,000 patients and distributing essential supplies to rural communities.
”We have revatilised the foreign post graduate scholarship programme, rehabilitated schools and distributed educational materials; and
”We have aligned the Youths empowerment by transitioning the Youths Volunteer Programme into a 10,000 trainee internship programme ( N50,000/month) and launched the Project HOPE skills initiative.
”We have deployed over 7000 solar powered street light across all the nine states in the region;
”This has improved security, public safety and clean energy adoption and is potentially creating carbon credit opportunities, ” he said.
Ogbuku also disclosed that the commission has partnered with cassava farmers and ITF Skill up Artisan Scheme to elevate productivity and equip youths with trade entrepreneurship skills.
According to him, this policy drive has deepened engagement with the Presidency, Federal/State Government, IOCs ( 3% of Bufget), SPDC, World Bank, KPMG, Civil Society and traditional institutions to co-fund community-centered projects.
He also said That NDDC was working with stakeholders to deliver effective and efficient services to the people.
Ogbuku noted that stakeholders engagement was one of the key points in the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
”We organised Niger Delta stakeholders Summit in 2024., budget conference in Uyo and Port Harcourt.
”We organised a PPP Summit in Lagos through which we set the tone for our “Rewind to Rebirth” initiative. It is our strategic vision designed to help recalibrate our engagement with Niger Delta people, ” he said.
”Today the Niger Delta is a largely peaceful region. NDDC continues to work with the security agencies and the Federal Government under President Tinubu to maintain this peace.
”NDDC continues to give them the necessary support to enhance their capacity to maintain security in the Niger Delta region.
”We have donated gunboats, operational vehicles, and communication equipment, and have also built quarters for security personnel.
”The future of the Niger Delta region is looking increasingly brighter from the gloomy days of early 1999 and. 2000.
”NDDC remains committed to making a difference in the region and believe that there will be more to celebrate in the years to come, ” he added.
While congratulating the board and the management of NDDC, Ogbuku, noted that tn the past two and half decades, the signpost and achievements of the NDDC dot most of the communities within the NDDC mandate states.
”For instance, the Niger Delta has grown from a restive region 25 years ago, to becoming the most peaceful region in Nigeria. We are therefore celebrating 25 years of impactful and enduring achievements.
Today, while we celebrate the achievements of NDDC, we are also celebrating the promise and commitment of NDDC to continue to develop the Niger Delta and improve the living conditions of our people.
”That is why, we recognize the commitment of our President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has provided a veritable platform for the work.
‘:NDDC is currently undertaking, including facilitating the execution of regional and legacy projects in the region.
”An important aspect of the work the current Board, led by Mr Chiedu Ebie, is doing is our commitment to do things differently. And what did we do? What have we been doing?
”We believe in building strong institutions and fostering partnerships that deliver lasting change to the Niger Delta and beyond. ”
