NDDC Management Appears Before House Committee Over N1.9 Trillion Budget Estimate

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has presented its 2024 budget estimates of 1.9 trillion naira to the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC, promising that early approval would accelerate socioeconomic transformation and improve the standard of living and infrastructure in the Niger Delta region.

Chief (Dr) Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, addressed the Committee, which is chaired by Hon Erhiateke Ibori-Seun, and highlighted the Commission’s success stories with its last budget estimates, stating that the 2024 fiscal year would see accelerated development with the support of critical stakeholders.

Ogbuku explained that the primary goal in preparing the 2024 Budget, titled “Budget of Renewed Hope,” is to build a strong foundation for long-term economic development and a greener future for the region.

He provided a summary of expenditures, which included 38.5 billion in personnel costs, 29.2 billion in overhead costs, 8.9 billion in internal capital, 1 trillion in legacy projects, and 835 million in project development, totaling 1.9 trillion naira.

The MD/GEO stated that the proposed budget will be funded through federal government contributions, oil company contributions, an ecological fund, federal government arrears owed to NDDC and recoveries by federal government agencies, revenue brought forward, borrowings, and internally realised income.

“Investing in critical infrastructure is an important part of our fiscal strategy under the 2024 Budget Proposals. The current management is re-navigating its intervention process by using the Public-Private-Partnership model to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

“To that end, we are collaborating with the Industrial Training Fund to engage the region’s youth in productive ways to reduce crime and economic sabotage. We have strategically made provisions to diversify our funding sources, as we intend to raise a total of one trillion naira to fund the Commission’s ongoing legacy projects by 2024′, Ogbuku stated.

On fiscal reforms, he stated, “We will implement new performance management frameworks to regulate overhead costs. As a result, only activities that are linked to measurable programmes will be approved. We have transitioned from the previous line item budgeting system to sectoral allocation.

“Therefore, I will once again commend the 10th National Assembly’s firm commitment to breaking the cycle of annual budget delays. I am confident that with our renewed partnership, the deliberations on the 2024 budget will be completed soon, paving the way for the 2025 budget, as the current Management is preparing to normalise the NDDC budget calendar.

Ogbuku reiterated the NDDC Management’s commitment to delivering inclusive growth and improving the Niger Delta Region’s welfare.

While seeking continued support and collaboration from federal lawmakers, the NDDC Boss assured of Management’s strong commitment to deepening its relationship with the National Assembly.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ogbuku highlighted the gains and achievements of the Commission’s 2023 budget, stating that much progress has been made in the region and that much is being done to complete all ongoing projects undertaken by the NDDC.

He stated, “It is my honour to be here today to give an account of what we have accomplished and to present the Commission’s 2024 Budget Proposal to this august chamber.

“But, before I begin, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, under whose leadership I have been called to serve, as well as the Supervising Minister of Niger Delta Development, Engr Abubakar Momoh.”

“It is a matter of recorded history that we have progressed from transactional to transformational, and transformation is pragmatic. In this regard, we believed it needed to be comprehensive, covering areas such as youth training, entrepreneurship support, and infrastructure and development.

“In the area of youth training, we developed Project HOPE to compile a comprehensive database of Niger Delta Region youths and artisans.” It will assist us in engaging these youths in their areas of expertise. Project HOPE is also an offshoot of Mr. President’s Renewed HOPE, which inspired us to look for ways to engage the region’s youth in a productive way.

“In terms of infrastructure, we launched “Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region,” which has resulted in a significant number of communities being lit up with solar-powered street lights, boosting the communities’ economic activities at night.

He went on to say, “Health is wealth, and good health is at the heart of human development.” The NDDC has provided health solutions to over two million Niger Deltans in various communities across the Region through the free medical mission, and it remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare and all other critical sectors that have a positive impact on the overall development of the Region’s health and wellness.

“In education, we awarded 750 foreign scholarships and 84 educational grants between 2023 and 2024. In addition, we are distributing 45,000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabuses to schools in nine Niger Delta states.

The MD/CEO told federal lawmakers that the NDDC’s current management is ushering in a new era of progress and development as standards and effectiveness are redefined to drive positive change in the region.

Hon Erhiateke Ibori-Seun, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, praised the Commission’s Management Team team for the comprehensive documentation and promised to move legislation on the proposed budget forward quickly.

Hon Ibori-Seun, who represents the Ethiope Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber, stated that the National Assembly is committed to transparency and improving the well-being of the Niger Delta people.

The Federal Lawmaker, flanked by other Committee Members, charged the NDDC with remaining focused and assisting Mr. President in delivering his Renewed Hope mantra in the Niger Delta.