The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it has recorded major milestones over the past 25 years, pledging to complete long-abandoned infrastructure projects across the region as part of renewed efforts to fulfil its mandate.
Speaking at a world press briefing in Asaba, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the Commission is focused on delivering what he described as “legacy projects” in roads, electricity, health, and education, decades after the region was promised development.
“The President gave us a matching order: turn things around in the Niger Delta,” Ogbuku said. “We’re responding with action, not just words”, Ogbuku stated.
Ogbuku admitted that frequent leadership changes in the Commission had stalled progress for years. But under the current board, he said, the NDDC is focused on accountability, transparency, and results.
Among key projects delivered in the past year: A 27.5km Ogbia-Nembe Road with seven bridges and 50 culverts in Bayelsa, connecting 14 previously isolated communities. A 600m Ibeno Bridge and 6km access road in Akwa Ibom.
Also listed was a 45km power line from Omotosho to Okitipupa, which restored electricity to 25 local governments in Ondo State after a 15-year blackout, and a 15MVA substation in Benin City, Edo State, powering thousands of homes and businesses.
He added that the commission has restructured internally, adopting digital procurement processes to curb fraud, and installing key performance indicators (KPIs) and corporate governance systems in partnership with KPMG.
Speaking further, the NDDC boss stated that to achieve the mandate given to President Tinubu for the Niger Delta region, the commission decided to engage stakeholders in the area to achieve the desired goals.
He said the commission developed a policy of transitioning from transaction to transformation and digitalising their procurement process, so that nobody can fake the procurement documents of the Commission.
“It is not only by our efforts; it is the collaborative efforts from all the stakeholders who believe the time has come when there should be stability in the NDDC and that stability is a challenge to us to ensure that we deliver development to the people of the Niger Delta region.”
“We believe that in partnership with stakeholders, we are going to achieve more, and development in our region will be faster and more holistic.
“Similarly, we commissioned the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 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 commissioned the 45-km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State. This electrification project supplies light to the 25 local governments that have been in darkness for 15 years. We also inaugurated the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State”, he added.
Chairman of the NDDC Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, echoed that message, saying the Commission is working more closely with stakeholders — including the media — to deliver real results.
The 25th anniversary celebrations, which began with a thanksgiving service in Ondo State, will end in Port Harcourt on July 12 with a plenary session and gala night.
