NDDC Sets Pace For Development Commissions, Highlights Achievements

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has credited the Commission’s recent achievements to the stabilizing leadership of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during a three-day retreat organized by the Ministry of Regional Development for Regional Development Commissions in Benin, Edo State, Ogbuku emphasized the importance of leadership continuity within the NDDC to ensure the completion, rather than abandonment, of development projects.

According to a statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, the Commission was led by nine Managing Directors between 2015 and 2023, contributing to significant instability.

Ogbuku expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for assuring the current NDDC Board of a full four-year tenure. He also commended the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, for his strong administrative and technical support.

He stated, “Mr. The President has charged us to complete all legacy projects for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.”

Regarding the benefits of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in NDDC project execution, Ogbuku announced, “We will complete the Kaa-Ataba bridge in Rivers State in July. This is one of the projects we are partnering with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to deliver. Another major project is the 29-kilometre Bonny Ring Road with nine bridges.”

He further noted the Commission’s collaboration with the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the 70.75 km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area.

Ogbuku recalled that between May 18th and May 28th, 2024, the NDDC commissioned five impactful projects in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo, and Ondo states, encompassing roads, bridges, and electricity infrastructure.

These projects include the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State; the 25.7 kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State; a 1x15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, Benin City, Edo State; a 45km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa, Ondo State; and the NDDC 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State.

He added that the NDDC inaugurated the 9.6-kilometre Abraka-Oben Road in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, in February 2025, and commenced the reconstruction of the Abraka-Agbor Road.

Ogbuku assured stakeholders that the NDDC is preparing for another round of project commissioning, including the 750-bed Niger Delta University hotel complex in Amassoma, Bayelsa State.

He affirmed the Commission’s commitment to establishing a strong corporate governance framework and implementing a new Governance Advisory Report to consolidate performance and enhance its impact.

“We are committed to restoring credibility through transparency,” he said.

The NDDC boss also stated that the Commission had released N5 billion in counterpart funding to galvanize the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) for the development of young entrepreneurs.

He explained that the Commission is supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training, and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.

“We have registered 980,000 youths on our database, which is helping us to train many young people. Recently, we trained 500 Niger Delta youths in CNG Autogas Conversion in Akwa Ibom State,” Ogbuku remarked.

During the retreat, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, presented a paper advocating for the use of Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) to deliver services.

In his paper, “Exploring Alternative Sources of Funding for Infrastructural Development by Regional Development Commissions: The Role of Public-Private Partnership,” Ewalefoh emphasized the necessity of PPP arrangements given the country’s significant infrastructure gap.

In a separate presentation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, discussed “Understanding Public Service Rules and Administrative Procedures vis-à-vis other existing Laws.”

She stated that the effectiveness of public service is determined not by the quantity of rules, but by the quality of their application.