The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDDC

  • NDDC moves to avert cholera outbreak in Niger Delta

    NDDC moves to avert cholera outbreak in Niger Delta

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has rolled out plans to avert an outbreak of cholera in all the communities in the region.

    The managing director, NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, who spoke in Port Harcourt ahead of the commission’s Niger Delta Summit, said NDDC had concluded arrangement to begin massive provision of potable water in all the communities in the region.

    Ogbuku said the NDDC would not fold its arms and watch outbreak of cholera epidemic in the Niger Delta.

    He said besides providing at least solar-powered boreholes in all the communities, the commission was shopping for vaccines to prevent cholera in the region.

    He said: “The water issue is a burning issue. We have been proactive. We have started the process of ensuring that we provide water to all the communities in the Niger Delta. We are taking this step because of the cholera that is breeding across the country.

    Read Also: Stakeholders to discuss Tinubu’s plan for Niger Delta at NDDC Summit

    “As an interventionist agency, we are working towards providing the existing cholera vaccines and providing water for all our people. We will soon begin procurement to ensure that all the communities have a minimum of solar boreholes so that they can have access to good water because cholera is more of a water borne disease.

    “We know that in our region, the rains have started falling and soon the floods will.come. When the floods come, there will be no good water to drink and it is going to be a major epidemic in the region. Very soon  you will see the NDDC water in every community the way you see the solar light everywhere”.

    The NDDC boss, who highlighted the importance of the forthcoming Niger Delta Summit, said it would afford the people the opportunity to discuss the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and specific ways they would benefit from it.

    He added that part of the discussion would be the amendment of the Act establishing the NDDC to remove all the bottlenecks affecting the commission.

    He said: “For us, we can as well decide to say, we want to start working towards the process of amending the Act of the NDDC because it does not serve the purpose, because maybe there are some challenges we are facing. 

    “Even in terms of administration, there are some areas that you find out that maybe the Act needs to be amended, even in terms of distribution of role. But we thought, rather than working alone, let it be that the people come together and discuss it.

    “Let it be that it’s the people of the Niger Delta that have come together to agree. So if the people of the Niger Delta come together and agree, fortunately, we have our people in the National Assembly, that means, they are also going to ensure that what these people decide is going to be implemented.

    “The Senate President is also going to be the chief host of this event, so if he is the chief host of this event, certain issues agreed upon, they are the ones at that level that have day-to-day discussion with Mr. President. So, we have personalities from the region who I think, I have confidence in that can really push forward whatever the communique we have, we decide on to be implemented.

    “We are privileged to have even the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who is from Abia state, he is from the region. We have ministers that are powerful that are also going to be around”.

    Ogbuku assured that the summit would not be like other previous discussions that were abandoned in the past clarifying that NDDC was only the facilitator.

    He said: “When we talk stakeholders summit, it is not about NDDC. NDDC is only facilitating stakeholders’ summit in the Niger Delta, because like I said, one of the key agenda of this administration, of the renewed hope agenda of Mr. President is stakeholders’ engagement.

    “And we should also be seen as the umbrella body of bringing the entire nine states together in engaging our stakeholders. If Rivers State government wants to do stakeholders summit, it will be limited to Rivers state people, but it is only NDDC that can bring this entire states together. 

    “So NDDC is just the facilitator. As you can see in the main programme, the chairman of the summit is going to be the former President, Goodluck Jonathan, the President is the Special Guest of Honour, the President of the Senate, being the highest political office holder in the region is the chief host. Then, you have the minister of the Niger Delta as co-host and other governors of the Niger Delta.

    “So when you look at all these personalities even during the programme, the person to read the welcome address is the president of the senate who is the chief host. 

    So it is not an NDDC programme, it is a programme of the people of the Niger Delta. 

    “Somebody must bring the people together, so if the people of the Niger Delta have agreed to come together to have the meeting and agree on certain issues, I see no reason why they’ll want to abandon what they agreed upon.

     So if it is something that we all jointly agree, we are not talking about the stakeholders’ summit for ethnic leaders, we are talking about everybody in the Niger Delta, so everybody will play their key roles. 

    “So I’m very, very optimistic, I don’t want to be pessimistic at this point because for all of them to be committed, that means they are very, very eager to ensure that whatever that is decided sees representation. 

    “So, I can assure you that I am very, very committed and I am very, very optimistic that it going to be different from what has happened in the past because this is also going to bring together the people of the Niger Delta and make them more united so I’m optimistic that it won’t be the way others have been.

    “If you want to look at it, you ask yourself, when last did the people of the Niger Delta gather? So the Niger Delta people have actually gone through different challenges and I think it is high time we look at these challenges and discuss them once and for all.”

    ReplyForwardAdd reaction
  • Stakeholders to discuss Tinubu’s plan for Niger Delta at NDDC Summit

    Stakeholders to discuss Tinubu’s plan for Niger Delta at NDDC Summit

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has said that the upcoming Stakeholders Summit will afford the people an opportunity to discuss President Bola Tinubu’s plans for the Niger Delta.

    He said the event scheduled for July 10 would help to build synergy for the region’s sustainable development.

    He said the stakeholders’ engagement was one of the cardinal points in the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration.

    He said: “The importance of stakeholder engagement is to ensure that projects and activities of government are well understood by the people to create room for synergy.

    “Mr. President cannot be talking about Renewed Hope Agenda and his plans for the people of the region without giving the people opportunities for conversations to discuss the plans for them to make inputs where necessary.”

    Ogbuku noted that President Tinubu had charged the NDDC to inaugurate signature projects that would impact lives.

    Following the directive, Ogbuku in a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the Commission recently inaugurated five flagship projects covering roads, bridges and electricity across the region.

    Read Also: Tinubu means well for north, says Shettima

    He listed the projects as “The 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe road in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State; the 25.7 kilometre Ogbia -Nembe Road in Bayelsa State; the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State; the 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.”

    Chairman of the Niger Delta Chambers of Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA),  Chief Idaere Gogo Ogan, said it had become imperative to have a strategic conversation on the roadmap for the Niger Delta region.

    He said: “The Niger Delta region, by way of economic size, combines to about 51 trillion naira today.

    “If you put it on a comparative level, we are bigger than Africa’s seventh largest economy Lagos by almost N10 trillion.

    “It gives you the picture and the reason a conversation must take place…to help us to build a road map for economic development by highlighting the priority areas.”

    He commended the NDDC for organising the summit to provide a platform for stakeholders to comprehensively evaluate strengths and agree on strategies to be adopted.

    “I am elated and I look forward to being part of the discussions that will take place.

    “Hopefully, we will develop a regional masterplan that will usher in the much-needed prosperity for our people,” he said.

  • NDDC’s Misplaced Priorities: From water hyacinth to solar light projects

    NDDC’s Misplaced Priorities: From water hyacinth to solar light projects

    • By Jonah Okah

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was conceived by the Olusegun Obasanjo government in the year 2000.

    This was considered a landmark vision to address years of neglect and grotesque marginalisation suffered by the oil and gas producing communities in the Niger Delta.

    Since the inauguration of the agency, expectations of the people have been quite high in terms of addressing the infrastructure concerns.

    To reassure the people, the agency swung into action by drawing up the NDDC Master Plan with inputs from critical stakeholders across the region.

    While the hopes and aspirations were high, believing that the Master Plan was not only an honest and holistic approach, but a game changer for the much-needed sustainable development, the pathetic narratives about the age-long neglect of the area continue to persist with those saddled with the responsibility to drive that change turning the place into a cash cow for themselves and their political cronies.

    From inception, apart from two managing directors who came from the private sector as emeritus staff of oil companies, almost all other management staff have used the resources of NDDC as a political launch pad for their gubernatorial ambition.

    With this frame of mind, they get totally distracted by engaging in baseless and unsustainable projects to feather their political nests. The NDDC indeed has become an alternate or parallel government and huge distraction to the component states as the leadership continue to fund political activities with phony projects at the expense of the actual development of the Niger Delta.

    They perpetuate this by captioning projects as emergency to circumvent due diligence. From emergency repairs, to canal and creek opening to clearing water hyacinth which are never done and now to solar lights that have no direct impact on the socio-economic upliftment of the region.

    It is therefore not an over statement to state that vast majority of the Niger Delta people are unanimous in their verdict that it is a hope betrayed by the various management of the commission who happen to come from the region. These projects are all self-seeking as they have no single bearing on the sustainable development of the region as encapsulated in the master plan.

    The Master Plan which was rolled out at a very high cost appears to have been archived after spending huge amount of money to put it together, right from the pioneer management and its successors to the current one.

    For example, in the masterplan power and energy were very prominent and therefore one would have expected the setting up of regional power project to catalyse economic growth social upliftment.

    Instead, the current Managing Director of the Commission who was a part of the struggle for the emancipation of the Niger Delta through his active participation in the Ijaw Youths Council has ramped up the wastage and drifting further away from the indices that are pointing towards being worse than his predecessors through his reckless deployment of unstainable solar light that are littered in communities with staggering sums of money. It has been established that the least cost of those meaningless solar projects is over ₦200 million which could have powered off grid electricity projects up to 200kilowatts to drive economic activities.  

    As a matter of fact, the so-called solar lights are being literarily described as “twinkle, twinkle little star”, which is an oxymoron simply reminding us of the cosmetic approach, which by implication is far from addressing the power and energy concerns of the Niger Delta. Ordinarily, with the liberalization of the power sector by the Federal Government which has been brought under the residual list of the constitution, what is expected of the NDDC is to take advantage of this development by collaborating with Niger Delta states to initiate Public Private Partnership (PPP), to provide permanent measures to solve the power problem once and for all.

    It is a no brainer to know that once the power challenges are addressed, the multiplier benefits would be enormous. It would kick-start industrial activities that will create wealth and employment opportunities in the region. It will further go a long way to nip in the bud the problems of youth restiveness and militant agitations, occasioned by neglect and unemployment.

    In this age and times, providing solar lights by an intervention agency in the name of development is all about pecuniary benefits apart being laughable. If the NDDC management feels so proud of the project, they would have inaugurated them as part of their one year in office projects.

    Rather they chose to showcase a project the current management did not deploy any resources to commission without even the window dressing synonymous with the antics of federal and state government agencies; placing of sign posts and lavish expenditure even more expensive that fixing the pot holes on the road. Can those National Assembly members who attended the Ogbia-Nembe sham road commissioning stand before their constituents proudly over this?

    Those annoying solar lights would have exposed the NDDC and the Federal Government to public ridicule, given the billions of Naira that have been sunk into such projects which even ordinary councilors are providing in their respective wards. This colossal waste of funds has to stop and I employ the NDDC states governors to take active stands to avert the continuous furthering of this act which is a disservice to the entire Niger Delta. It is obviously a misplaced priority.

    It should adopt NDDC Master Plan in the power sector by constructing new generation facilities, upgrade existing plants, improve on the distribution and transmission network and promote the use of renewable energy sources. It can also promote building the capacity of local workforce in the power sector by providing training programmes and skills development geared towards empowering local communities, to enable them participate in the local content of development by using such skills in the maintenance of power infrastructure in the region.

    Therefore, the solar light projects that the management is flaunting as star projects have no bearing on the sustainable development vision of the Niger Delta region.  What explanation has the management for not making them part of their one year in office fanfare commissioning of projects instead of commissioning a project that not a dime input was made by them? Indeed, it was an insult that the various past managing directors of NDDC who syndicated the Ogbia-Nembe Road project did not even have the courtesy of participating in the commissioning and were not even mentioned at all!

    Another worrisome issue is that those individual opportunists who find themselves in such position of trust celebrate it as a divine opportunity to grab as they like, as manifested in their ostentatious life style. This is why the management could afford to shamelessly focus on cosmetic projects like the solar light, rather than adopting sustainable measures as encapsulated in the Master Plan to address the problem of the power sector squarely.

    Read Also: NDDC explains plans to borrow N1trn from banks

    Today, it is already in the public space, that some members of the current management of NDDC are warning up for various elective positions including the 2027 governorship election in their various states, which is counterproductive to the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    This is where Mr. President who is known for having listening ears to quickly identify such politically-exposed persons in the management of NDDC by dispensing with them without any further delay in the overall interest of the development of Niger Delta. This will go a long way to free the people from the years of arrested development orchestrated by the political scavengers that have characterized the management of NDDC over the years.

    The huge waste of fund that is meant for addressing the Niger Delta development is worrisome. At this juncture, Mr. President needs to rescue the people of Niger Delta by wielding the political will to pursue a clean break away from the past to dissolve the current management and appoint technocrats to drive the development process as provided in the Master Plan.

    Enough is enough of using the commission as a cash cow for political exploits at the detriment of the heroic sacrifices of Niger Delta agitators culminating in the setting up of the NDDC to address the perennial challenges in the region.

    • Okah, a lawyer/journalist, wrote from Yenagoa.
  • NDDC explains plans to borrow N1trn from banks

    NDDC explains plans to borrow N1trn from banks

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has explained that its plans to source N1trn from development and commercial banks are to fund the completion of ongoing legacy projects.

    The commission in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said it appreciated the concerns expressed in some quarters over the plan to obtain the credit lines.

    The Senate had in its wisdom approved the NDDC 2024 budget of N1,911,844,833,046, which made provision for securing the sum of N1tn to be sourced from the development and commercial banks.

    NDDC said: “It is important to clarify that this fund will be deployed to complete a total of 1,006 legacy projects spread across the region, which includes roads, bridges, electricity projects, school buildings, hospitals, shore protection and reclamation, among others.

    “The arrangement is for the budget to be funded through statutory provision and borrowings to curb the inflation rate and ensure that quality projects are delivered to the Region on time.

    “While emphasizing public-private partnerships, we have strategically made provisions to leverage private capital for big-ticket infrastructure projects in regional roads to enhance transportation and other sectors. 

    “This marks a critical step towards diversifying our source of funding.

    The main emphasis will be the completion of many ongoing legacy projects that have advanced greatly”.

    The commission said it expected that by the end of the 2024 fiscal year, it would have completed more than 200 kilometres of roads across the Niger Delta region.

    The commission said: “We urge our stakeholders to appreciate the fact that Regional Development needs a robust funding mechanism to effectively address specific and urgent development needs in the Niger Delta region. 

    “Obviously, timely and flexible financial decision-making is crucial to responding effectively to dynamic regional challenges.

    “The funding plan is meant to insulate the NDDC from the inflationary pressure which is impairing the ability of the Commission to complete its development projects on schedule.

    “There is no doubt that funding is critical to the development of the Niger Delta region and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

    “We commend the 10th National Assembly for always supporting us in the urgent task of developing the Niger Delta region. The expeditious passage of our 2024 budget underscores the devotion of the lawmakers to regional development and the greater welfare of the Niger Delta people.

    “We appeal to our stakeholders to refrain from making hasty judgments on our initiative to pool resources for urgent development purposes. They can be rest assured that we are dedicated to the development of the Niger Delta region and the welfare of its people.”

  • NDDC applauds Senate for speedy passage of N1.911trn 2024 budget

    NDDC applauds Senate for speedy passage of N1.911trn 2024 budget

    A statement by the commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the budget was approved on Tuesday after the Upper Chamber considered the report of the Committee on NDDC presented by its Chairman, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyoung.

     Ogbuku said that the speedy passage of the budget would enable the NDDC to continue providing critical infrastructure and services to the people of the Niger Delta region.

    The NDDC boss said that the 2024 appropriation, anchored on the theme: “Budget of Renewed Hope”, would help the commission to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    “We are grateful to the Senate for their support and commitment to developing the Niger Delta region. The passage of this budget will enable us to continue providing critical infrastructure and services to the region’s people,” Ogbuku said.

    The Managing Director also pledged to ensure that the funds allocated in the budget were used judiciously, following due process. 

    He said that the NDDC would work tirelessly to ensure that its projects are completed on time and to the highest standards.

    Ogbuku also called on all stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to support the NDDC in its efforts to develop the region. 

    He said that the NDDC needed help to do it and needed the support and cooperation of all stakeholders in the region if it was to achieve its goals.

    The NDDC boss, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Monday, informed the members that the Commission would invest in critical infrastructure as a key component of its fiscal strategy under the 2024 Budget Proposals.

    He explained: “The present Management has noted that the Commission alone would not be able to effectively address the development challenges in the Niger Delta region and are re-navigating its process of intervention by adopting Public-Private-Partnership model as a vehicle to drive a sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region.

    Read Also: Senate passes N1.911trn NDDC’s 2024 budget

    “Emphasizing public-private partnerships, we have strategically made provisions to leverage private capital for big-ticket infrastructure projects in regional roads to enhance transportation and other sectors. 

    “This marks a critical step towards diversifying our source of funding as we intend to source an aggregate sum of ₦1trillion to fund on-going legacy projects of the Commission in 2024.  The sum is to be out-sourced from the development/commercial banks etc.


    “The main emphasis will be the completion of as many ongoing legacy projects that have advanced greatly. It is our expectation that by the end of the 2024 fiscal year we would have completed more than 200km of roads across the Niger Delta region.”

    Ogbuku commended the 10th National Assembly’s firm commitment to stop the circle of delayed annual budgets.

  • NDDC presents N1.9tr budget of Renewed Hope to Senate committee

    NDDC presents N1.9tr budget of Renewed Hope to Senate committee

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has presented its 2024 budget proposals of N1.911 trillion to the Senate Committee on the NDDC at the National Assembly.

    Presenting the proposals to the Senate Committee, chaired by Asuquo Ekpeyong, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, explained that this year’s appropriation was anchored on the theme: Budget of Renewed Hope, in line with the Federal Government’s budget.

    He said: “The proposed budget seeks to move the commission from transaction to transformation and it is a product of participatory budgeting process that involves all the major stakeholders in the Niger Delta region.”

    He added: “In preparing the 2024 budget, our primary objective has been to sustain our robust foundation for sustainable economic development. A critical focus of this budget is this present management’s commitment to a greener future. An aggregate expenditure of ₦1.911 trillion is proposed for the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2024.

    Read Also: FG, States, LGs share N1.143tr for May 2024

    “The revenue estimates include an opening balance of ₦12 billion, unpaid arrears and recoveries from Federal Government agencies of ₦170 billion. A total of ₦1 trillion is expected to be sourced from development/commercial banks, Federal Government statutory transfers of ₦324 billion.

    ected ₦25 billion from Ecological fund: Expected Revenue of ₦375 billion from the oil and gas companies, ₦5 billion is expected from other sources (grants, bank interests and sales of boarded items).

    “Investing in critical infrastructure is a key component of our fiscal strategy under the 2024 Budget proposals. The present management has noted that the commission alone would not be able to effectively address the development challenges in the Niger Delta region and are re-navigating its process of intervention by adopting Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) model as a vehicle to drive a sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.

  • NDDC defends N1.911trn 2024 budget in Senate

    NDDC defends N1.911trn 2024 budget in Senate

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), on Monday, June 10, defended the sum of N1.911 trillion being its 2024 Budget before the Senate Committee on the NDDC.

    The Managing Director of the agency, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the estimates of the fiscal document to the senators.

    Ogbuku was accompanied to the session by the top management staff of the commission and the board members.

    He said the Budget was prepared to prioritise improvement in security, job creation, youth and women empowerment, social welfare, education and infrastructure, among others.

    Ogbuku said: “The proposed budget seeks to move the Commission from transaction to transformation and was a product of a participatory budgeting process that involved all the major stakeholders in the Niger Delta region with the theme: Budget of Renewed Hope Agenda.

    “In preparing the 2024 Budget, our primary objective has been to sustain our robust foundation for sustainable economic development.

    According to the NDDC’s boss, an aggregate expenditure of N1.911 trillion has been proposed for the Niger Delta Development Commission in 2024.

    He said the agency’s outstanding revenue from its last fiscal year stood at N12 billion while arrears owed by the federal government and recoveries by federal agencies amounted to N170 billion.

    Ogbuku said the agency proposes to borrow N1trillion in addition to N324billion projected Federal Government’s contribution and N25billion from the Ecological Fund.

    He added that the agency was expecting N375billion as oil companies’ contributions and projected N5billion as Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

    On expenditure, the NDDC said it plans to spend N38.545 billion as personnel cost; N29.246bn as overhead cost and the sum of N8.785billion as Internal Capital.

    Ogbuku added that the agency would fund legacy projects with the N1 trillion it intends to borrow from commercial and development banks while an additional N835.222 billion would be expended on projects (development).

    He said: “As of April 30th 2024, the Commission’s actual aggregate revenue inflow was N683.2billion approximately 78 per cent of the targeted N876billion.

    “This comprises N146.4 billion representing 122 per cent from the Federal Government and N394.5 billion representing 141 per cent from Oil & Gas Companies. We had a carry forward of N105billion from 2023 representing 2117 per cent.

    “Investing in critical infrastructure is a key component of our fiscal strategy under the 2024 budget proposals.

    “The present management has noted that the Commission alone would not be able to effectively address the development challenges in the Niger Delta region.

    “Towards this end, we are re-navigating Its process of intervention by adopting the Public-Private-Partnership model as a vehicle to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region.

    “Accordingly, to this end, we are in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund to gainfully engage the youth of the region to reduce crime and economic sabotage.”

    On indebtedness, he said the agency made a provision for payment of legacy debt in the budget.

    “What we have here is about N100 billion which we believe if we phase out this, maybe in the next 10 years, we should have been able to pay off most of all these legacy debts.

    “Some of these debts are even 20 years old. Some of them are 15 years old, but they are not debts you can pay in one year.

    Read Also: Celebrations as NDDC delivers N10.4b barrier-breaking bridge for Ibeno

    “So we just want to phase them within a period of maybe 10 years. That’s why we made that estimate provision,” Ogbuku said.

    He said the agency was also in partnership with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines, and Agriculture (NDCCTIMA). Several Organisations and State Governments have approached the Commission for partnerships and we are currently engaging them to fine-tune the process.

    He said: “The main emphasis will be the completion of as many ongoing legacy projects that have advanced greatly.

    “It is our expectation that by the end of the 2024 fiscal year, we would have completed more than 200 kilometres of roads across the Niger Delta Region, as we understand that our people have different expectations on the Budget of NDDC and they believe the Commission will respond to all their demands.

    “However, the reality is that resources are limited and no Budget can ever meet and satisfy the yearnings of each and every member of the rural communities.

    “We can only devote our efforts to providing support for the needs of the greater number of our people.

    “Our fiscal reforms shall introduce new performance management frameworks to regulate the overhead cost.

    “Accordingly, only activities that are tied to measurable programmes will be approved.

    “We have moved away from the previously line-item budgeting system to sectoral allocation of funds to encourage performance and we are confident that this will shore up productivity.”

    The chairman of the Senate Committee on the NDDC, Asuquo Ekpenyong, urged the agency’s management to ensure prompt submission of their annual budgets.

    He said: “Some of your innovations like lighting up the Niger Delta and programmes for the youth of the area in the education sector are also commendable.

    “Budget defence of the commission for the year 2024 is coming late and in line with the new policy of January to December budget cycle of the Federal Government, your budget must get here early. Let the budget of 2025 reach us by December 2024.”

    A member of the Committee, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, said the panel in the 10th Senate, would carry out massive oversight functions on the projects and activities of the NDDC more than ever before.

  • Celebrations as NDDC delivers N10.4b barrier-breaking bridge for Ibeno

    Celebrations as NDDC delivers N10.4b barrier-breaking bridge for Ibeno

    For years, the oil-rich Ibeno community in Akwa Ibom State was an island of sorts. It was virtually cut off from other places by a river. But, it now has a bridge, courtesy of the NDDC, making commuting and commerce easier. Ifeatu Agbu writes.

    The people of Ibeno, a leading oil-producing community in Akwa Ibom State, are upbeat and it is for a good reason. After many years of living, somewhat, in isolation in their swampy community, they now boast of a bridge linking them with other parts of the state – and also nationwide. The bridge built by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) spans over the swamps, changing the people’s lives and fortunes.

    The N10.4 billion 600-metre Ibeno Bridge is across the Qua Iboe River. The mega-bridge, with the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road, is unique in the sense that it is one of the longest bridges built by NDDC in Niger Delta, using a local contractor.

    The inauguration of the bridge marked a significant milestone for NDDC. It was like conquering the mangrove forest and its encumbering swamps. It took 10 years of anticipation and unwavering commitment to achieve. Giving this background, some stakeholders are surprised that despite the first phase of the project being ready for commissioning in 2013, the NDDC management had different ideas.

    Why did the NDDC wait for 11 years to celebrate this milestone? The then Managing Director, Sir Bassey Dan-Abia, answers the poser: “When I first visited the bridge in February 2014, shortly after the fourth governing board was inaugurated, we were asked to commission the bridge which had then been completed. I did not buy the idea of commissioning the bridge because I wanted to see that the road connected all the intended inland communities. Thus, the contract for the second phase was the first to be awarded by the commission under my leadership.”

    Commissioning the bridge on May 28, NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the multi-billion-naira project as an enduring legacy. He said work on the second phase of the Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road, an extension from the bridge, would be accelerated to ensure its completion in record time. It will link the 36-kilometre Ikoro-Ntafra-Opolom Road.

    He  assured the Ibeno people that the NDDC would give them the special attention they deserved as major contributors to the nation’s oil wealth, adding: “We recognise the importance of Eket and Ibeno local governments to the Federal Government, especially as they constitute the major oil-producing hub of Akwa Ibom State.”

    Ogbuku listed some other NDDC projects in the state as the 5.15-kilometre Oku-Iboku Internal Road in Itu Local Government Area; the on-going 30-kilometre Nsasak Junction-Akon in Essien Udim Local Government Area, which leads to Abia State; a 1, 050-bed space ultra-modern hostel at the University of Uyo; and a model hostel at the institution’s teaching hospital.

    Read Also: Kano provides free meals to pilgrims in Saudi

    The President, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the landmark project demonstrated the government’s commitment to the region’s development, noting that despite challenges, NDDC had striven to execute projects to improve the people’s lives.

    Governor Umo Eno, represented by his deputy, Senator Akon Eyakeni, said the project would add value to the socio-economic activities of the residents. “It is a testament to the relationship between the state and NDDC. By working together, we can continue to bring tangible benefits to our communities and the broader Niger Delta region”, he added.

    Paramount Ruler of Ibeno, Dr Effiong Bassey Achianga, said things were looking up for many communities in the area, noting that his people were delighted that the second phase of the Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road was underway.

    The road, he said, would connect communities in two local government areas that were hitherto separated by the Qua Iboe River. “Our hope is that the road and the bridge would connect Iko, Rikang, Akata, Opolom, Ikot-Enwang, Okoroutip and Iwoachang communities with about 24 others. If that happens, it would have linked all the communities to modernity, while enhancing our economic fortunes. The NDDC has made it possible for us to interact with our kith and kin in the adjoining communities. This was not possible in the past because the river stood between us”, he said.

    Ibeno Local Government Chairman Emma Ibok expressed joy that the communities could now interact among themselves. “This was not possible in the past because the river stood between us”, he said.

    Leaders of the community were also excited by the development. They praised NDDC for opening up the place. The village head of Agada community, Chief Alex Ebitu, said: “NDDC has made it possible for us to interact with our kith and kin in the adjoining communities”.

    Another leader, Chief Ibrewong Andrew, said life was difficult without a bridge across the river.

    A representative of the community, Enyima Inyang, hailed the contractor and the people for working together to deliver the project in time.

    An analyst, Mr. Michael Sampson, said the project has changed the lives of the people and the perception of many about the ability of local firms to handle major projects.

  • Renewed Hope: NDDC subjects employees to mandatory anti-graft training

    Renewed Hope: NDDC subjects employees to mandatory anti-graft training

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has subjected its employees to a compulsory anti-corruption training as part of the ongoing reforms in the commission in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

    The training was designed to eliminate all forms of corruption causing project abandonment, conflicts in the region and capable of hindering the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led commission to meet its mandate.

    The commission’s Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution (DCR) hired experts from the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to conduct the training.

    About 150 employees participated in the  capacity building and sensitisation programme on process compliance and anti-corruption standard tagged, Promoting Awareness for Transparency and Accountability in the Public Sector, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Read Also: Ojokoro police station gets new DPO

    The Executive Director, Projects, NDDC, Victor Antai, said that the training was to expose the workers to the knowledge that would empower them drive a corruption-free commission.

    Antai, who represented the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said that the current board completed majority of the projects it inherited on assumption of office 

    He said with the training that had inculcated new orientations into the employees, more projects would be completed and inaugurated in the region.

    Antai emphasized that the Ogbuku-led NDDC had zero tolerance for corruption insisting that the training would empower staff members with the requisite knowledge to avoid corrupt practices in the process of project execution.

    He said: “The coming of these anti-graft agencies to take our staff through their training is because, the managing director is moving the board from transactional to a transformative NDDC that has zero tolerance for graft.

    “With this we can have more projects carried out, completed and commissioned. This will eliminate project abandonment in the administration of Dr. Ogbuku, who is committed to moving this region forward. 

    “Every agency of government has its own objectives of establishment. The objective of the establishment of ICPC is what we want to tap into, their experience and wealth of knowledge, to lead our people right to avoid the mistakes of yesterday.”

    The Acting Director of Dispute and Conflict, NDDC, Godwin Ogedemgbe, said the commission organised the sensitisation to guide NDDC staff members against acts that could lead to conflict and corruption. 

    He gave examples indicating that he was a law abiding citizen promoting awareness for transparency and accountability in the public sector.

    Ogedemgbe said: “We are working in synergy with the anti-graft agencies, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau. They are here to lecture us and teach us what is expected of us as staff. So when we are carrying out our duties in the office we will not be found culpable. We are expected to follow the rules in the ICPC Act, the CCB, the EFCC Act.

    “We need to apply these laws so will not get involved in any sharp practices, so we will not be invited to answer questions.”

  • Senate committee, NDDC mull water transport terminals across N/Delta

    Senate committee, NDDC mull water transport terminals across N/Delta

    The Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in tandem with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) have hinted of plans to create leeway and multiple water transportation routes across the Niger Delta region in order to aid the economy of the region.

    The states to be linked include: Cross River, Delta, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Ondo states.

    Speaking during the unveiling of the Abitto Terminal in Calabar, the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong representing Cross River South, said the terminal in the waterways is a major natural transportation resource for the Niger Delta.

    Read Also: ‘Tinubu steering Nigeria to sustainable development’

    He said, “The waterways are important to the Niger Delta, and it’s important that the waterways are developed, it’s the most cost effective way of transporting goods and services. We expect an expansion across the eight states of the Niger Delta.”

    Echoing similar sentiments, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said, “We also have to support and partner to expand ferry service to other parts of the region.