In line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to complete all ongoing projects in the region—including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities—the Managing Director of the commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has pledged that the commission will, in February 2025, begin a new round of project commissioning across the Niger Delta region.
The NDDC boss, who disclosed this during an interactive session with newsmen at the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, revealed that some of the landmark projects to be launched include multi-purpose emergency shelters in Bayelsa, Delta, and Rivers states. He assured that these facilities would provide relief to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the event of flooding in the Niger Delta region.
Dr. Ogbuku further hinted that the NDDC is engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the task of developing the previously neglected Niger Delta region. He added, “It’s not going to be only the commission’s efforts, but rather a synergy and collective effort from all stakeholders who believe the time has come for stability in the NDDC. That stability challenges us to ensure we deliver development to the people of the region.”
According to Ogbuku, the NDDC is committed to making the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government a reality in the Niger Delta region, reaffirming the commission’s dedication to the mandate given by President Tinubu to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing areas.
Moreover, Dr. Ogbuku announced that his reappointment, alongside that of the current NDDC board, is not just a vote of confidence by Mr. President but also a symbol of trust. He stated, “For those of us reappointed to this present board, the reappointment is based on trust by the president.”
“We appreciate the state governments for supporting us and partnering with us in several areas of development. We thank our stakeholders for their support and encouragement, which has boosted our resolve to ensure we give them what they deserve,” he added.
“The President gave us a marching order during our inauguration to positively transform 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 significant projects as part of the one-year anniversary of President Tinubu’s administration.
“The President is encouraging us in the area of funding. He approved our plan to raise N1 trillion from financial institutions in the 2024 budget to complete legacy projects.
NDDC MD, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, addressing newsmen. (Second Left) NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Wakama, along with the Special Assistant, media to the MD, Dr Willie Etim (right).
“Today, the NDDC has an approved 2024 budget. The last budget of this commission was in 2020. I believe this is the only agency that operated without a budget for such a long period. These milestones have been achieved through collaboration with the Presidency, the National Assembly, and other regional stakeholders.
“Today, there is peace in the NDDC and the region. The youths and other stakeholders are happy with our efforts. That is the success we have worked so hard to achieve for our people,” Ogbuku stated.
In the same vein, the commission reflected on the achievements of the NDDC since Ogbuku assumed office. Between May 18 and May 28 this year, the NDDC commissioned five major development projects across the Niger Delta region.
Dr. Ogbuku noted that these projects included the 27.5-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, constructed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC). The road, featuring seven bridges and 50 culverts, connects 14 communities in Bayelsa State.
“We believe that in partnership with stakeholders, we can achieve more, and development in our region will be faster and more holistic. We are not competing with any state government; we are only complementing their efforts,” he said.
“Similarly, we commissioned the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and the 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.
“We also commissioned the 45km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State. This electrification project supplies light to 25 local governments that have been in darkness for 15 years. In addition, we inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Benin City, Edo State.”
