The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has attributed the Commission’s recent strides to improved stability under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, stressing that continuity in leadership remains critical to sustaining development outcomes in the Niger Delta.
A statement signed and issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, stated that Ogbuku spoke at a three-day retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Regional Development for regional development commissions in Benin City, Edo State, where he underscored the disruptive impact of frequent leadership changes on the Commission’s performance.
According to him, the NDDC had nine managing directors between 2015 and 2023, a situation he said created instability and hindered effective project execution. He, however, commended President Tinubu for assuring that the current board would complete its four-year tenure, a move he described as essential for institutional stability.
He also lauded the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, for providing administrative and technical support to the Commission.
“Mr President has charged us to complete all legacy projects for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region,” Ogbuku said.
Highlighting ongoing interventions, the NDDC boss pointed to key projects being executed through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), including the Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State, which he said is scheduled for completion in July in collaboration with Nigeria LNG Limited. He added that work is also ongoing on the 29-kilometre Bonny Ring Road, which includes nine bridges.
Ogbuku further disclosed that the Commission is partnering with the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the 70.75-kilometre Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and associated bridges in Warri North Local Government Area.
He recalled that between May 18 and May 28, 2024, the Commission inaugurated five projects across Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo states, covering road and electricity infrastructure.
These include the Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Abia, the Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa, a 33/11KV electricity substation in Edo, a 33KV feeder line in Ondo, and the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road with the Ibeno Bridge in Akwa Ibom.
He added that in February 2025, the Commission inaugurated the Abraka-Oben Road in Delta State and flagged off the reconstruction of the Abraka-Agbor Road.
Ogbuku said the Commission is preparing for another round of project commissioning, including the completion of a 750-bed Niger Delta University hotel complex in Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
On institutional reforms, he disclosed that the NDDC has introduced a corporate governance framework and begun implementing a Governance Advisory Report aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability.
“We are committed to restoring credibility through transparency,” he said.
The NDDC, he added, has also supported the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) with a N5 billion counterpart fund to boost youth entrepreneurship.
According to him, about 980,000 youths have been registered in the Commission’s database, with several already benefiting from skills training programmes, including 500 youths recently trained in compressed natural gas (CNG) autogas conversion in Akwa Ibom State.
In a presentation at the retreat, the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Jobson Ewalefoh, advocated the use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to drive infrastructure delivery, noting that Nigeria’s infrastructure gap necessitates innovative financing models such as PPP.
Also speaking, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Esther Walson-Jack, emphasised that effective public service is defined not by the volume of rules but by their proper application.
