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  • Inflation: NDDC calls for patience with FG

    Inflation: NDDC calls for patience with FG

    The Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Board, Chiedu Ebie, a Lawyer has appealed to Nigerian and Rivers people to be patient and have faith in the ability of President Ahmed Tinubu to fix the country.

    Ebie spoke at the flag off ceremony of 229 units Solar electrification project in Bane Community, Khana Local government Area of Rivers State yesterday, in honour of their son, an Ogoni martyr, Late Ken Saro-Wiwa.

    Meanwhile, the community at the event Renewed the call on the Federal Government to clear Saro-Wiwa’s name from the criminal charges leveled against him and eight others by the Nigerian State which led to their murder.

    The people maintained that Ogoni Martyrs are not criminals as they were weongly judged and killed, insisting that exonerating them.from the stigma is a step to restoring peace in Ogoni land.

    Read Also; Support Tinubu’s administration, Southeast group urges Ndigbo

    Ebie who was represented at the event by the Rivers State Representative in the Commission, Tony Okocha urged all hands to be on deck, as they pray and support the Federal Government (FG), in the efforts to bring the country from the woods.

    He assured the country that Nigeria will be great again under the current adminsitration, adding that the current economic situation the nation is being faced is not Peculiar to it, but rather a global phenomenon. 

    He said, “… I want to thank MR. President and also tell our people here that Mr. The president is not sleeping, he’s up beat to to ensure that Nigeria comes out of the economic dundrums.

    “I also want to say that what we’re experiencing today on Nigeria is not Peculiar to Nigeria, but seemlingly a global problem, most countries are going into recession and Nigeria will be great again.

    “What is important is that there is a zest, effiversence in the President in trying to chun out solitions to the problems in Nigerian nation.

    “When you have such attempts being made, there is the likelihood that there will be progress, light at the end of the tunnel.”

    Earlier, the Commission said the electrification project will be completed withing six months and will start from Saro-Wiwa memorial park hosting the late freedom fighter’s tomb to his Bane community.

    The Federal Government interventionist agency equally disclosed the plan to build the 5 kilometer stretch of the community’s road starting from Kwawa junction to bring life and access to the state- of- the -art  Saro-Wiwa memorial hall, that is currently laying waste in the heart of the community.

    The projects have elucidated positive  reactions and great wishs and prayers for NDDC and the State Representative in the Board who proposed the projects be built in honour of the Late Saro-Wiwa for his crucial roles that led to the establishment of NDDC.

    Okocha  told journalists at the event that, ” Nobody wrote a letter to NDDC for what we have come here to do today, rather it is an option to enure that the labour, efforts of Ogoni Hero Late Ken Saro -wiwa did not go in vain.

    “Late Saro-Wiwa and Dr . Obi Wali,  played crucial roles that led to the establishment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). …the project is NDDC’s contribution, appreciation of the efforts.

    “Beyond the electrification projct for which we’ve just led the foundation to start off the work, we have also agreed to build the road to the community, it is a 5 kilometre road stretch, the project has also been approved by the NDDC chairman, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the contract papers were almost ready…”  He lauded President Ahmed Tinubu for the calibre of persons he appointed into the 7th Board of NDDC, stressing that they are determined to rewrite the negative impression held about the FG interventionist agency by sticking to the original mandate for the establishment of the Commission.

    The State Rep. expressed the resolve of the members of NDdC Board to upholding the mandate for which they were appointed.

    “Let me take this opportunity to thank all of you, Nigerians and also thank MR. President for the opportunity given to us, thank you President for the calibre of persons who are members of NDDC Board today…, with the resolves I have seen amongst all of us, that we will be responsive to the plight of the people of  Niger Delta, the reason for which we were established and I see them do it in action.

    He insisted that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Mantra is not just a mere Statement but one backed up with genuine action,

    Okocha called on every Nigerian to pray for President Tinubu and also support his policies and programmes, assuring that they are  for the good and greatness of the country. 

    Also Speaking,  a politician and woman Leader in the community, Caroline Nagbo appealed  that Saro-Wiwa  be exonerated  from the criminal judgement passed against him; for which him and eight others were sentenced and killed.

    “…those of us from Bane community with Late Ken Saro-Wiwa cry everyday in our hearts that a man who led down his life for others, the Niger Delta and the minority people in Nigeria, yet he is not immortalised.

    “I remember that there is a Ken Saro-Wiwa memorial bus that is still being held by the Federal Government…, but we are still asking that he should be exonerated, it does not matter how long it has been, he should be exonerated for the sacrifice he paid.”

     furthermore  Nagbo charged HYPREP to rise up to their  responsibilities on Saro-Wiwa, noting that whatever action they might come up with now is belated, particularly as help has already come for Bane community from an outsider.

    “…there have been other politicians from Ogoni ethnicity, and if not you, an Ikwerre son who though it worth the while to come and pay homage to Ken Saro-Wiwa, and with a project, who else has done that…we have HYPREP, but they did nothing.

    “I want to use this opportunity to call on HYPREP to wake up, Bane people are not happy with HYPREP; it is belated, whatever they want to bring from today, it is belated, because an Ikwerre son has already come before them, and we sincerely thank you for this rare show of love.”

    On his part, younger brother to late Saro-Wiwa, Harry Saro-Wiwa thanked NDDC and the State Rep. in the Commission for coming to the aide of the community who he said has suffered so much neglect since the murder of Ken.

    He expressed more gratitude to the Commission for the proposed road in the community and informed the visitor of a serious erosion challenge that is at the verge of eating up part of the community.

    Wiwa who is the Chairman Bane Community appealed for help from the NDDC to save the area from impending extinction. 

  • NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    Former Bayelsa State governor, now the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has urged Niger Delta states to partner Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to fast-track the developmental processes of the region.

    He gave the advice at the weekend at Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, hometown of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, during the 2024 edition of the community’s annual cultural celebration, ‘Eyal Obein’.

    Dickson hailed the community for the preservation of their cultural heritage, saying people without culture were likened to one without history.

    The ex-governor, who also lauded the NDDC MD on the achievements of the commission under his stewardship, said he was impressed with the performance of the intervention agency under the leadership of Ogbuku.

    He noted that the NDDC MD and his team had demonstrated capacity and love for the region in terms of projects execution and policies implementation.

    The Ayakoro community’s ‘Eyal Obein’ is an age-long cultural festival held annually to commemorate the relocation of the community from their old settlement to their current abode due to devastating erosion.

    The 2024 edition makes it 66 years since the community began the commemoration of the event.

    Dickson said: “The NDDC under the stewardship of Dr. Ogbuku is doing well. Ogbuku and his team are carrying out the mandate of the NDDC well.

    “I want to thank Ogbuku for remembering that he came from a place. The projects I’ve seen in this community and other parts of the Niger Delta, including my home town, especially the solar powered lights and others, show that Ogbuku knows where he came from. It shows that he’s linked with his people at home.”

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Ogbuku said the commission under his stewardship was re-committed to ensuring that projects awarded and executed by the commission had impact on their benefiting communities.

    He said the era of stalled projects was over in the NDDC, noting, however, that the commission would no longer condone a habit whereby some communities acted as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their domain.

    He said contracts awarded to communities, which impeded their peaceful execution, might be relocated, adding that no place could develop in the absence of peace and cooperation.

    Ogbuku stated: “Ayakoro is a very peaceful community. Here, projects are flourishing. There’s never been any encumbrance to any project awarded here. My advice to communities is that they should be peaceful and cooperate with contractors executing projects in their domain.

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    “A situation where communities impose all sort of conditions on contractors executing projects in their communities will no longer be accepted. However, we’ll also not allow contractors to exploit communities when executing their projects. In the event that there are unnecessary encumbrances from communities on the execution of projects in their domain, then it’s clear that such a community does not want the project, and so the NDDC may be forced to relocate projects like that.”

    Guest of Honour and Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Koroye Enebimere, promised government’s continuous support for cultural celebration to grow the tourism and hospitality sectors of the state.

    The paramount ruler of the community, HRH Righteous Inegbagha, gave a brief history of the cultural festival.

    He commended the founding fathers and the present generation of the community for their resilience and dedication to the growth and development of the community.

  • NDDC begins distribution of palliatives in Delta

    NDDC begins distribution of palliatives in Delta


    The Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has kicked off the distribution of palliatives for victims of the 2022 flood disaster in communities across the 25 local government areas of Delta Stat


    Speaking during the presentation of the palliatives at the Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Delta State, the Representative of Delta State on the NDDC Governing Board, Monday Igbuya, said that although the flood occurred in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster.


    Igbuya in a statement by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, found it necessary to implement the decision to distribute previously approved palliative items to communities across the state .


    He said the distribution was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood disaster in the state especially in view of the current economic difficulties in the country.


    According to him: “You remember the flood happened in 2022 and as you know President Bola Tinubu was not in office then, so were the NDDC Board and Management. But, when the issue came up, the graciously approved this relief operation”.

    Igbuya maintained that the NDDC was committed to programmes that would affect the people positively, emphasizing that the board was engaging in activities that truly reflected the people’s needs and mandate of the board.

    Read Also: Hardship: Delta flood victims get NDDC relief materials, palliatives

    The statement said the ruckloads of items distrib­uted included bags of rice, bags of beans, mattresses, vegetable oil, noodles, toiletries, tomato paste, boats, cassava milling machines, sewing and grinding machines, salt, among other relief materi­als.


    The community leaders across the 25 local governments of the State, including women and youth groups reportedly  received the items on behalf of their people.

    Speaking at the event, Onoriode Ogodo of Sapele-Okpe community, thanked the NDDC for the palliatives.

    He said: “The items will go a long way in supporting those who lost homes and means of livelihoods during the flood.”


    The President-General of Elume community, Mr. Felix Emuobo, said: “With the materials in the right hands, we can rebuild and support our people through these difficult times. I commend the NDDC for their effort towards bringing relief to us.”.

  • Hardship: Delta flood victims get NDDC relief materials, palliatives

    Hardship: Delta flood victims get NDDC relief materials, palliatives

    Victims of the 2022 flood disaster across the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta state, Friday, received palliatives and relief materials from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The donation was part of efforts by the President Bola Tinubu-led government to address the current economic realities in the Niger Delta region.

    Chairman of the NDDC board and Chief Executive Officer of the agency, represented by the representative of Delta state on the NDDC board, Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya noted that the initiative would cushion the hardship faced by the flood victims. 

    Speaking during the presentation ceremony at the Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Delta State, Igbuya explained that even though it happened in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster, adding that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda made it imperative for the interventionist agency to reach out to them. 

    “You remember the flood happened in 2022 and as you know President Bola Tinubu was not in office then, so was the NDDC Managing Director and Chairman of the board. But, when the issue came up, he graciously approved this relief operation,” Igbuya stated.

    He maintained that the NDDC is committed to programmes that would affect the people positively, emphasizing that the board is engaging in activities that truly reflect the peoples needs and mandate of the board.

    Read Also: Abia communities hail NDDC on roads’ rehabilitation

    Items distributed include bags of rice and beans, mattresses, vegetable oil, noodles, toiletries, tomato paste, boats, cassava milling machines, sewing and grinding machines, salt, among other relief materials. 

    The community leaderships across the 25 local governments of the State, including women and youth groups were on hand to receive the items.

    Speaking at the event, Onoriode Ogodo of Sapele-Okpe community while thanking the NDDC said “the items will go far in supporting those who lost homes and means of livelihoods during the floods.”

    On his part, President-General of Elume community, Felix Emuobo, said: “With the materials in the right hands, we can rebuild and support our people through these difficult times. I commend the NDDC for their effort towards bringing relief to us.”

  • Abia communities hail NDDC on roads’ rehabilitation

    Abia communities hail NDDC on roads’ rehabilitation

    Communities in Arochukwu, Abia State, have expressed appreciation to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), over the ongoing emergency repairs of failed sections of Atani-Amuvi-Amankwu Road and the eight-kilometre Atani Phase II Road.

    Leaders of the communities spoke when the NDDC Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai, led a team of the commission’s directors and engineers to inspect the roads with concrete drains and solar-powered street lights.

    Speaking on behalf of Ugbo community in Arochukwu, Eze John Okoro, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, hailed the commission.

    He said: “This road you are seeing today was more like a track road, mostly marshy and undulating, before NDDC intervened. Vehicles couldn’t come into our villages through this road. But today in our life, through NDDC we now have a smooth and asphalted road.

     “On behalf of my community, I’m saying a very big thank you to NDDC, while we appeal for a bridge across the river so that we can access our farmland and then open up the communities.”

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    Speaking in the same vein, the Eze Ogo Atani, Eze Dr. Charles Okoro, lauded the NDDC for its intervention, noting that for many years, the road, which linked many communities, had been impassable.

    He said: “Words are not enough to express the joy of the people who are now enjoying quality roads with the accompanying benefits in social and economic activities.”

    He observed that the roads re-constructed by the NDDC had been in deplorable condition for many years.

    Said he: “Most of our communities were not accessible by road before the NDDC came to our rescue. We are very grateful for this assistance and we appeal for more in the area of electricity where we need transformers.”

    Giving his impression after the inspections, the NDDC Executive Director, Projects, said the road network would have a major impact on the lives of the people, as it would open more opportunities for business and socialisation across state boundaries.

    Antai assured the community leaders of the commission’s commitment to the infrastructural development of the Niger Delta.

    He said: “When the righteous is on the throne, the people rejoice. The current board and management of the commission are transforming the entire Niger Delta. We have gone round this community and you can see for yourselves the beautiful job done by the contractor. I am satisfied with the quality of work done.

    “The roads have drains on both sides and are complimented by solar-powered street lights. These street lights form part of the Light up the Niger Delta project of the commission.”

    Antai pledged that NDDC would not relent in its resolve to transform the Niger Delta by executing impactful projects in the region.

    He said: “Arochukwu is very close to Akwa Ibom State, as it shares boundaries with Ini Local Government in Akwa Ibom and is also close to Cross River State. The good road network in Arochukwu is one step away from getting across to the neighbouring states.

    “I must commend the contractor for doing a good job. We will encourage other contractors to step up their game and deliver quality jobs.”

    He commended youths from communities in Arochukwu for being very peaceful and providing an enabling environment for the contractor to keep to the job specifications and standards set by the NDDC, to ensure quality delivery.

  • Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project

    Reps to investigate NDDC over alleged abandoned shoreline project

    House of Representatives has mandated the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to liaise with NDDC to investigate alleged mismanagement and abandonment of Amassoma Community Shoreline Protection Project in Bayelsa State.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Ambaiowei Ebikebina (PDP-Bayelsa), during plenary in Abuja yesterday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Amassoma Reclamation/Shore Protection Project was awarded by the NNDC on June 10, 2019 to IDEKI Services Ltd.

    Moving the motion, Ebikebina said Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency of Bayelsa was one of the communities that had persistently endured flooding, leading to the 2022 devastating flood in the area.

    This, he said, sacked communities, creating huge humanitarian crisis, adding that the flood situation was heightened by climatic changes, making the situation increasingly unbearable.

    Read Also: Cholera outbreak: NDDC deploys medical intervention in Rivers

    He said the people of Amassoma and other areas within Southern Ijaw federal constituency were at risk of facing another devastating flood and displacement from their homes.

    He said that only an immediate action would assuage and give comfort to the Southern Ijaw constituents and avert traumatic experience of the past.

    Adopting the motion, the house said such shoreline project was a critical intervention project, adding that the previous companies must be held accountable for alleged waste of public funds.

    The house urged the NDDC to re-mobilise a contractor to complete the Amassoma community shoreline protection project.

    The house also urged the contractor to engage competent consultants to supervise the project and ensure that it was executed diligently to completion before September.

    The house mandated the  NDDC to assess the project to ascertain the extent of work done by the numerous contractors since the project was first awarded.  

  • Cholera outbreak: NDDC deploys medical intervention in Rivers

    Cholera outbreak: NDDC deploys medical intervention in Rivers

    • Nine feared dead

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has deployed drugs and medical personnel to mitigate cholera outbreak at Soku community in Akuku-Toru Local Government of Rivers State.

    No fewer than nine persons have reportedly died, following outbreak of the disease in the community.

    The intervention initiated by the state representative on the NDDC board, Tony Okocha, appears to be the first set of interventions the community has received so far since the outbreak of the disease.

    A team of medical professionals left Port Harcourt on Sunday afternoon for Soku.

    The cause of the outbreak may not be unconnected with drinking of unhygienic water.

    Okocha deployed alongside the medical team, drugs and cartons of potable water (bottled water) for residents.

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    A statement by his media aide, Jacobs Happiness, said the gesture was in line with Okocha’s commitments to prioritise human capital development, among others, during his tenure.

    Okocha promised to ensure that no resident suffers from any ailment.

    NDDC, through Okocha, distributed relief materials worth hundreds millions of Naira to eight communities in Rivers State that were affected by flood last year.

  • NDDC inaugurates link road in Bayelsa

    NDDC inaugurates link road in Bayelsa

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has inaugurated Oruma rigid pavement road, a major bypass for commuters from Bayelsa and Rivers states, in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa.

    Inaugurating the road and solar-powered streetlight project, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said more projects would be inaugurated across the Niger Delta in the coming weeks.

    Ogbuku, represented by the Executive Director, Projects, Sir. Victor Antai, said the commission was focusing on executing legacy projects to link communities, local governments and states across the Niger Delta.

    The NDDC boss, in a statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said Oruma road would complement a regional road in the area, the 23.5km Otuasega-Obedum-Emelego road and bridges connecting Bayelsa and Rivers communities, being built by the NDDC.

    According to Ogbuku, the inauguration of the road project was part of efforts by the NDDC management to complete ongoing projects in the Niger Delta, in line with the performance bond it signed with the Ministry of Niger Delta Development.

    The NDDC boss said the commission would execute projects that would enhance the living conditions of people in Niger Delta communities.

    He said:  “The road is very important, because it will help people in the adjoining communities, especially farmers, to evacuate their farm produce to the urban areas.”

    Ogbuku acknowledged the efforts of the contractor, whom, he said, delivered quality project, despite the challenging terrain.

    He also thanked members of the communities for appreciating the efforts of the commission and cooperating with the contractor.

    Read Also: Ogbuku: NDDC embracing accountability, transparency to develop Niger Delta

    The contractor, Christian Emeozor, an engineer; praised NDDC for initiating the project and commended Oruma community for their cooperation and support, which ensured that the road was completed on schedule.

    The monarch of Oruma community, King David Amakiri, said the completion of the road had increased economic and social activities for those living and doing business in his domain.

    He said: “The community is now more peaceful, as young and old people are now busy with one economic activity or the other.”

    The traditional ruler thanked the NDDC for executing the road project and acknowledged the commission’s contributions to the growth of the community.

    The NDDC MD, Executive Director, Projects and other directors of the commission visited King David Amakiri in his palace.

    The monarch lauded the NDDC for constructing Oruma Road and other internal roads in his community, saying his people had faced challenges in infrastructure before the commission’s intervention.

    He thanked NDDC for bringing light to the community through solar-powered street lights.

  • NDDC and TSA

    NDDC and TSA

    Managing director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku highlighted the Niger Delta Development Commission’s retreat held last week with a number of nuggets. He brought, for the first time, NDDC’s past managing directors and chairmen under one roof under his mantra, “rewind to rebirth.” One nugget was that the NDDC exists in the rural reaches where the substance of government is missing. Maybe the noise about its ineffectualness is a symptom of an out-of-touch elite who know little of the over seven thousand projects done over the years from boreholes to schools to flyovers. His main nugget was a plea to take the NDDC out of Treasury Single Account just like the FCT. His reason is forceful. Money comes in parts. Two, TSA stops it from partnering with banks to scoop loans ahead of allocations from the federation account, the IOCs and ecological funds. A tenured MD has only 20 months in four years to do substantial work. So, he tells me in a TVC interview that Pre-TSA NDDC worked far better than the present system. They can’t source funds from international donors sympathetic to their commission’s dreams. This topic will be tackled in detail. But Dr. Ogbuku has shown why the Commission has many abandoned projects. The senate should invite him and other stakeholders to debate the merit. The region suffers indeed, and imagination should be placed at the mercy of its progress. Like Ogbuku’s imagination.

  • NDDC to begin work on Ibeno road second phase

    NDDC to begin work on Ibeno road second phase

    Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has assured the people of Ibeno Local Government of Akwa Ibom State that work on the second phase of Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road, an extension from the 600-metre Ibeno Bridge, will be accelerated to ensure its completion.

    Speaking during the inspection of the road and bridge project, Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, accompanied by the Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai and other directors said it was necessary to assess the status of the project, which he noted, had suffered setback.

    Ogbuku said the first phase, a 6km road and 600-metre bridge across Qua Iboe River, had been completed and would be inaugurated soon.

    He assured Ibeno people that the NDDC would give them the special attention they deserved as a major contributor to the oil wealth of the country.

    He said: “This project is strategic and important to NDDC, considering that Ibeno is the operational base of ExxonMobil, which is the second largest producer of crude oil in Nigeria after Shell.

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    “We recognise the importance of Eket and Ibeno local governments to the Federal Government, especially as they constitute the major oil-producing hub of the state.”

    Ogbuku appealed to the youth in Ibeno to be peaceful and cooperate with the contractor handling the project, to ensure the job was completed without delay.

    The MD, in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said: We have to support one another to ensure successful completion of the project”

    He said the completed Ibeno Bridge was not inaugurated because NDDC wanted to see that the road connected the intended inland communities.

    The paramount ruler of Ibeno, Dr. Effiong Achianga, appealed to the NDDC to complete its projects in the area for the benefit of the oil-producing communities.

    The traditional ruler, represented by the village head of Iwuoachang Community, Chief Daniel Abia, praised NDDC for completing Ibeno Bridge and called for more efforts to complete the second phase of the project.

    He said: “NDDC has made it possible for us to interact with our kith and kin in the adjoining communities. That was not possible in the past because the river stood between us.”

    The former Chairman of Ibeno Local Government, Chief Williams Mkpa, said the people were delighted that work would resume on the second phase of the Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-Iwuoachang Road.

    He said the aim would be to connect communities in two local governments in Akwa Ibom State that had been separated by Qua Iboe River.

    “Our hope is that the road and the bridge will connect Iko, Rikang, Akata, Opolom, Ikot-Enwang, Okoroutip and Iwoachang communities with about 24 others. If this happens, it would have linked all the communities to modernity, while enhancing our socio-economic fortunes,” he said.