The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDDC

  • NDDC owing contractors N50b, minister tells N/Assembly

    NDDC owing contractors N50b, minister tells N/Assembly

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is owing contractors N50 billion, Niger Delta Affairs Minister Abubakar Momoh said yesterday. 

    He explained that the amount covered executed, ongoing and abandoned projects in the region. 

    Momoh, an engineer,  who defended the budget allocated to his ministry before the National Assembly, lamented what he described as a meagre allocation. 

    But, the defence was later stepped down by the National Assembly Joint Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, after summoning the Minister of Finance, Mr. Wale Edun, and his  Budget and Economic Planning counterpart, Senator Atiku Bagudu, to appear before it.

    A member of the committee, Senator Seriake Dickson, raised a motion to adjourn the sitting indefinitely until both ministers appear along with Momoh to shed light on the poor budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and fund released for projects. 

    Read Also; Our transformation efforts on economy succeeding with NASS cooperation – Tinubu

    Momoh, who called for increased budgetary allocation to his ministry, said the amnesty programme, which focuses on disarmament,  was now involved in empowerment programmes. 

    He said: “There are alot of programmes going on in the Niger Delta, which ordinarily should be done by the ministry.”

    He said for the 2023 budget performance, the budget estimate was N14.5 billion, adding that while  N11 billion was later approved, only N4.2 billion was released .

    Momoh added: “A total of 14.5 billion was the estimate, including capital, recurrent and overheads. But, what came to the ministry was just N4.2 billion out of the N11 billion that was approved. The 2023 budget performance is put at 37 percent,” Momoh said.

    “The N14 billion budget estimate is meagre to meet the requirements of the ministry. How many kilometers of road can N4 billion.

    “We have a lot of abandoned projects. We have a lot of completed projects. Those that have been awarded and have not been paid are worth over N50 billion,” Momoh said.

    “Since I took over, I’ve gotten over 2,000 requests from people asking for training in the Niger Delta. If I have the required resources, be assured that I will do a lot.”

    The minister said while he has not discussed the N50 billion owed to contractors, the Ministry of Finance was aware  of the debt.

    Momoh said out of the 2023 budgetary provision of N11billion, only N4billion was released from the capital budget.

    He said the amount represented about 37 per cent, adding that it was inadequate to meet the challenges of the region.

    He said: “This grossly inadequate budget has led to project abandonment and unpaid projects and so, this paucity of funds can lead to the derailment of the mission and vision of the ministy.”

    Momoh lamented that the training and empowerment of women and youths have been slowed down by paucity of funds.

    He  stressed: “We have signed performance bond with the President but with paucity of funds there’s nothing we can do.

    “The purse of the nation is in your hands as lawmakers. We need you to empower the ministry to deliver. We do hope that with your approval, you will give us support for more and better funds release in the 2024 budget.”

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta, Babajide Ipinsagba, said the contractors should be paid before some on them took loans to execute the projects.

    Ipinsagba objected to the cash plan of the agency, saying:”If a contractor completed his job, it is expected that once the Minister approves you should get your money in two weeks.

    “But you have to upload the approval and another person will determine if there is money to pay for the job done.”

    Also, the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Niger Delta,  Ugonna Ozurigbo, urged the minister to identify projects he can complete and commission, instead of embarking on projects that will later be abandoned.

  • Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains fromclimate change conference

    Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains fromclimate change conference

    • Commission to train 1,000 youths in CNG

    The Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission would promote the use of clean energy as part of the solution to the global climate change.

    He said after attending the Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, the commission acknowledged  the need for a permanent solution to the environmental challenges in the Niger Delta because of crude oil exploration and exploitation.

    He said:  “The conference in Dubai gave us the opportunity to highlight our position on the climate change issue and seek partnerships and investments in renewable energy. We went there to tell our story as the people of the Niger Delta and to let the world know the impact of crude oil exploration and gas flaring on our environment.”

    A statement signed yesterday by the NDDC Director Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said Ogbuku spoke in a live television interview.

    He underlined the negative impact of climate change on the inhabitants of Niger Delta, including forceful migration of many communities due to pollution, flooding and environmental degradation.

    Ogbuku said: “We believe that the Niger Delta is the most affected in Nigeria by issues of climate change. The impact of crude oil and gas exploration has eroded our environment and most of our communities have been deserted due to urban migration.”

    Reflecting further on the gains of the NDDC from the Climate Change Conference, Ogbuku said:  “I believe we achieved a lot of success. We held discussions on partnerships with  organisations, including the National Council of Climate Change, especially in the area of tackling gas flaring.”

    The NDDC boss said the commission was investing in solar power to light up communities in the Niger Delta, adding that it would recover carbon credits from the investments.

    Read Also: COP28: Ogbuku lists NDDC’s gains from climate change conference

    Giving an insight into the commission’s plans for 2024 and beyond, Ogbuku said: “We are preparing our 2024 budget and we will capture all these investment plans, which include a massive tree-planting campaign and the training of youths in renewable energy to prepare them for future.”

    In his presentation during an event on the sidelines of the Climate Summit, Ogbuku said the commission would train 1,000 youths in Niger Delta on conversion of fuel engine to Condensed Natural Gas (CNG).

    He said “About 1,000 youths are to be trained in conversion from fuel to gas engine. We want to make Niger Delta the hub of engine conversion, where we can also be outsourcing to other parts of Nigeria.

    “We want to take that bold initiative that is going to engage most of our youths because we also want to be involved in the whole green energy process.”

    The NDDC boss said the commission decided to take the challenges and prospects of Niger Delta to the global conference to elicit the right actions.

    “There is the need for us to tell our own story at the global stage,” he said.

    Ogbuku said there had been discussions on gas flaring, climate change and carbon emissions over the years with no substantial results.

    “We have come to a point where we must take the right actions,” he added.

    He said the commission, through its Environmental Protection and Control Directorate, had established a framework to ensure that all its developmental activities were green energy compliant.

  • NDDC seeks partnership on green innovation

    NDDC seeks partnership on green innovation

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches, nature-based solutions and green innovations.

    Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was leveraging on the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs. 

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said significant investments, partnerships and collaboration were required to succeed in such direction.

    He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

    “Sustainable development for the Niger Delta is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to impacts of climate change and environmental pollution. 

    “The high exposure of the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas, made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

    Ogbuku said the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental degradation.

    Read Also: COP28: NNPCL seals LNG, CNG deals for domestic, international market

    He said: “While Niger Delta is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resource, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues. These resources have the leveraging-capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.” 

    The NDDC boss said the commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities and finance.

    He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degree centigrade by 2030.

    Ogbuku said: “NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and in our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this Side Event, ‘Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target’, shows our commitment to national and international direction for carbon neutrality.”

  • COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations

    COP28: NDDC seeks partnerships on Green Innovations

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed determination to embrace clean energy sources through practical approaches, nature-based solutions and green innovations.

    Speaking during a side event at the Climate Change Conference, COP28 in Dubai, the NDDC managing director, Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission was leveraging the key sectors of the energy transition plan, to develop new green skills and create new jobs.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC director of corporate affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said that significant investments, partnerships, and collaboration were required to succeed in such a direction.

    He said: “Our gathering at COP28 is a reminder of the urgent need for several and collective actions to address the issues of climate change.

    “Sustainable development for the Niger Delta region is underscored by the high vulnerability of the region to the impacts of climate change and environmental pollution.

    “The high exposure of the region to sea level rise, storm surges, coastal erosion, and river flooding, compounded by increasing human-induced pressures on coastal areas made the region one of the most impacted by climate change in Africa.”

    Ogbuku observed that the vulnerability of the region was further aggravated by oil spillages, gas flaring, and environmental degradation.

    He said: “While the Niger Delta region is a critical ecosystem, rich in natural resources, and a significant contributor to the global economy, this vast resource is intricately interwoven with compounding climate change and environmental issues. These resources have the leveraging capacity for the transition to a low carbon, climate-resilient development pathway.”

    Read Also: NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

    The NDDC boss said that the commission would explore the four major themes of COP28, namely, technology and innovation, inclusion, frontline communities, and finance.

    He explained that NDDC was participating at the climate change conference to leverage the spirit of the themes to seek partnerships in green innovations and finance to fast-track green initiatives aimed at limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees centigrade by 2030.

    Ogbuku said: “NDDC is determined to mainstream climate considerations in our operations and our development planning and implementation. Our theme at this Side Event, ‘Green Innovation for Climate-Resilient Development in the Niger Delta Region: A Credible Approach for Net-Zero Target’, shows our commitment to the national and international direction for carbon neutrality.”

  • NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

    NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

    Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has kicked off the reconstruction of the 18km Owaza-Uzuaku-144 Battalion-Afam Junction Road in Ukwa West Local Government of Abia State.

    Speaking during the kick-off in Owaza, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, assured the people of the commission’s determination to bring development and hope to Niger Delta in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Ogbuku, represented by the Abia State representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, said the commission, as an interventionist agency, was committed to speeding up development in the region.

    He said the road would have a major impact on the lives of the people, as it would rejuvenate the communities that had suffered many years of neglect despite being in the oil-producing belt of the state.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, urged the benefitting communities to support and cooperate with the contractor to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.

    Read Also: Court bars Akeredolu from inaugurating caretaker chairmen

    He hailed the communities in Ukwa West Local Government for appreciating the efforts of the NDDC, promising that the commission would continue to execute projects to enhance the living conditions in Niger Delta communities.

    He observed that the 18km road set for re-construction had been in deplorable condition for many years, impacting negatively on the socio-economic activities of the area.

    The traditional ruler of Etiti Onha Owaza, Eze Obioma Nworgu, thanked the NDDC for the emergency re-construction of the road, which he said was “a death-trap for commuters and a feasting ground for criminals.”

    He said: “I commend the NDDC for this intervention and many other projects executed in Abia State. I am appealing that our children should be carried along in the NDDC’s scholarship programme, empowerment and employment.”

    He appealed to the commission to include his community in the ongoing installation of electricity facilities, especially solar-powered lights, in Niger Delta communities.

    Giving a brief description of the project, the Head Project Monitoring and Supervision in the NDDC, Abia State office, Kingsley Azu, said the 18km road, with concrete drains, would traverse many communities, such as Owaza, Okohia, Uzuaku, Umuelechi and Ezendioma.

    The President of National Youth Council of Ukwa West Council, Mr. Alwell Nwagbara, assured the NDDC that the youth would protect the project and ensure that conducive environment was provided for the contractor to operate optimally.

  • NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

    NDDC begins construction of 18km Owaza-Uzuaku road in Abia

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has kicked off the reconstruction of the 18km Owaza-Uzuaku-144 Battalion-Afam Junction Road in Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia state.

    Speaking during the kick-off in Owaza, the NDDC managing director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, assured the people of the commission’s determination to bring development and hope to Niger Delta in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Ogbuku, who was represented by the Abia state Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Eruba Dimgba, said that the commission, as an interventionist agency, was committed to speeding up development in the region.

    He said that the road would have a major impact on the lives of the people as it would rejuvenate the communities that had suffered many years of neglect despite being in the oil-producing belt of the state.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, urged the benefitting communities to support and cooperate with the contractor to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.

    He commended the communities in the Ukwa West council area for appreciating the efforts of the NDDC, promising that the commission would continue to execute projects to enhance the living conditions in Niger Delta communities.

    He observed that the 18km road set for re-construction had been in deplorable condition for many years, impacting negatively on the socio-economic activities of the area.

    In his remarks, the traditional ruler of Etiti Onha Owaza, Eze Obioma Nworgu, thanked the NDDC for the emergency reconstruction of the road, which he said was “a death trap for commuters and a feasting ground for criminals.”

    He said: “I commend the NDDC for this intervention and many other projects executed in Abia State. I am appealing that our children should be carried along in the NDDC’s scholarship programme, empowerment, and employment.”

    He also appealed to the Commission to include his community in the ongoing installation of electricity facilities, especially solar-powered lights, in Niger Delta communities.

    Read Also: NDDC being owed over N2tr, says MD Ogbuku

    Giving a brief description of the project, the Head of Project Monitoring and Supervision in the NDDC Abia State office, Kingsley Azu, said that the 18km road, with concrete drains, would traverse many communities, such as Owaza, Okohia, Uzuaku, Umuelechi and Ezendioma.

    The President of the National Youth Council of Ukwa West LGA, Mr Alwell Nwagbara, assured the NDDC that the youths would protect the project and ensure that a conducive environment was provided for the contractor to operate optimally.

    The Chief Executive of the company handling the project, Dr. Matt Offeh, said that the road was very important for the oil-producing communities in Abia state.
    He commended the NDDC for spreading development across the Niger Delta region.  

  • NDDC being owed over N2tr, says MD Ogbuku

    NDDC being owed over N2tr, says MD Ogbuku

    Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Sam Ogbuku, made a startling revelation yesterday – the interventionist agency is being owed over N2 trillion.

    Ogbuku made the revelation while appearing before the Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake-led House of Representatives’ Committee on NDDC.

    The NDDC boss described the sum as the accumulation of 15 per cent of the allocation of the nine oil producing states, which though due to the commission since 2000, has never been paid.

    Sections 14 sub-section 2 (a) of the NDDC Act 2000 under Financial Provisions for reads as follows: “There shall be paid and credited to the fund established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section- (a) from the Federal Government, the equivalent of 15 per cent of the total monthly statutory allocations due to member states of the cCommission from the Federation Account; this being the contribution of the, Federal Government to the Commission.”

    Ogbuku, also lamented that despite the passing of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 budgets of the commission, they were yet to get the funds till date.

    He said: “I want to raise an important issue; when we talk about funding, the NDDC Act says the monthly allocation from the Federal Government is 15 per cent of the allocation of nine states of the Niger Delta. But I can tell you that since the inception of the NDDC, it has not gotten that.

    Read Also; Diri seeks lawmakers’ approval for N480.9b 2024 budget

    “The Federal Government only budgets what it wants to give to the NDDC for any year and that is what that it will give. If you look at the 15 percent, we are not getting that. Even with the removal of fuel subsidy and with the increment of states allocation, NDDC is still where it is.

    “So, these are issues we want you to help us resolve and we have done our calculation that from 2000 till date we can say we are being owed over N2 trillion from what is supposed to be due NDDC.”

    Ogbuku, who assumed office in acting capacity in January this year, lamented that despite fast-tracking the approval for three years budgets of the commission, the funds were yet to be released.

    He went further: “We also came in at a point where NDDC never had a budget for 2021, 2022 and 2023. These budgets were before the National Assembly and we had to fast track the passage of those budgets and those budgets were eventually passed in April this year.

    “However, since the budget was passed, it has not been handed over to us up till now. We would pray and plead with you to ensure that as fast as possible, you also facilitate the process for us to have the budget because the year is already coming to an end.”

    Ogbuku said that due to the huge debt burden of the commission, which was due to a malfunctioning of the system, they had to launch a public private partnership (PPP) arrangement in April this year, where private and public entities can also fund projects in the NDDC.

    The Chairman of the NDDC Board, Chiedu Ebie, assured that the agency would maintain cordial relationships with the committee and the National Assembly.

    He also promised that his board would work as a team to ensure that the narrative of the commission is changed for the better.

    Ibori-Suenu promised to look into the issues raised by the commission with a view to addressing them.

    She expressed the committee’s readiness to collaborate with the board to achieve the goal of changing the narrative of the Niger Delta and the commission to improve the lives and conditions of the people of the region.

    Ibori-Suenu pledged the committee members’ commitment to carry out their mandate effectively.

    She said: “It is very important we create a platform for synergy in implementation of these policies and programmes for the general benefit of Nigerians and especially the people of the Niger Delta. I assure you that this committee is willing and ready to partner with you to make sure that the dividends of democracy are brought to the region and the narratives that had been set by the previous board are changed for the better.

    “On this note, I would want to seek your cooperation as a board and to ensure that the information we get from you is what we can work with as a committee, and that everything we do henceforth is in the discharge of our duties to our people.

    “On the issue of the budget, we would look into and find out why it hasn’t been transmitted to the Commission. For the time frame I cannot really say, but now you have brought it to our attention, we would look into it.”

  • We’re lighting up Niger Delta with solar-powered streetlights, says NDDC boss

    We’re lighting up Niger Delta with solar-powered streetlights, says NDDC boss

    The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has said the commission is undertaking an ambitious project of lighting up Niger Delta communities with solar-powered streetlights.

    He said more regional and legacy projects would be executed by the current board of the NDDC.

    Ogbuku spoke during a visit by members of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    “We will undertake more legacy and regional projects. We have embarked on an elaborate project to light up Niger Delta with solar-powered street lights, as part of the measures to reduce criminality in our communities,” he said.

    Ogbuku in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said the commission was working in line with the policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, which emphasised stakeholders’ engagements in the development process.

    He said it was important to involve stakeholders in driving the sustainable development of the Niger Delta.

    Said he: “We all face the same challenges in the region, this means we must work together to address the challenges, regardless of our ethnic background. Challenges such as underdevelopment and ecological problems confront all of us.”

    Ogbuku said the history of the Niger Delta struggle would not be complete without indexing the contributions of the Ogoni people.

    “Your contributions cannot be forgotten. More importantly, we are going to support all ethnic nationalities because we are working for all ‘Niger Deltans’.

    “In the quest for development of the region, NDDC alone cannot achieve it without the support and partnership of stakeholders in both public and private sectors,” he said.

    Ogbuku said the commission would organise a stakeholder’s summit early next year to review its activities in the past 23 years and give groups in the region the opportunity to be part of the development process.

    He urged the MOSOP delegation to support the NDDC in its efforts to develop the region, advising them to avoid denigrating the commission.

    Read Also: Lagos Assembly confirms three Sanwo-Olu’s nominees

    Ogbuku enjoined the Ogoni to promote peace, as development could only take place in a peaceful and safe environment.

    He said: “I, therefore, urge you to support the policies of President Tinubu’s administration. Let us ensure that there is peace in our communities.”

    Ogbuku told the visiting delegation that the newly inaugurated NDDC Governing Board was committed to accelerating the development of the Niger Delta.

    The MOSOP President and leader of the delegation, Chief Prince Biira, appealed to the NDDC to extend more development projects to Ogoniland, to enhance the living conditions of the people, who had suffered many years on account of oil pollution and negligence.

    He reminded Ogbuku that the NDDC was a product of the struggle of the Ogoni people and other agitated ‘Niger Deltans’.

    “The essence of this engagement is to exchange ideas on the development challenges of our people. Your pedigree rekindles our hope for a new dawn,” he said.

    The MOSOP President described Ogbuku as “a visionary administrator with a mission to bring transformational development in communities across the Niger Delta.”

    Biira said things were beginning to change in the way NDDC was tackling the developmental challenges in the Niger Delta.

    He said: “We commend the NDDC for initiating a fresh era in the region. We urge you to sustain this laudable effort. We agree that NDDC has projects in Ogoni land, but a lot more needs to be done.

    “For instance, we need assistance in upgrading and furnishing primary schools in our communities.”

  • ‘NDDC new vision will drive sustainable development in N/Delta’

    ‘NDDC new vision will drive sustainable development in N/Delta’

    Chairman of the Governing Board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), Mr. Chiedu Ebie, has said that the leadership will unveil the right vision and set the tone for the management to drive the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

    Ebie, who spoke during a facility tour of the NDDC headquarters complex in Port Harcourt, underlined the need for the new board and executive management to take basic steps that would compel the  roll out of new strategies to drive the development process in Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

    Read Also: Foreign scholarship: NDDC interviews 1,050 candidates

    Accompanying the Chairman on the facility tour were other members of the NDDC Board such as  the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the Executive Director Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director Projects, Sir. Victor Antai and the Executive Director Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde.

    Ebie in a statement signed by the NDDC Corporate Affairs Director, Pius Ughakpoteni,.said that as part of the measures to reposition the NDDC, the board in its inaugural meeting, had to first familiarise itself with the activities of the Commission.

    Briefing the Chairman during the facility tour, the NDDC Director, Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Patrick Ekade, said that the Commission was in the process of procuring fire trucks to fortify its fire service unit.

  • Foreign scholarship: NDDC interviews 1,050 candidates

    Foreign scholarship: NDDC interviews 1,050 candidates

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said it has commenced oral interviews for 1,050 candidates seeking for its foreign post-graduate scholarship programme.

    Its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said this at the launch of the programme on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

    Ogbuku said the interview would last for over 11 days.

     He said the interviewees passed the computer-based test written by no fewer than 5,000 applicants a fortnight ago.

    “The interview is going to be done based on merit, and this is the reason we came to monitor the process, to show our support for what is going on.

     “We believe that the best scholars will be selected among the 1,050 candidates, who will then be sent out to represent our country.

    “The interview panel was randomly selected to ensure fairness because the 200 scholars to be selected will be our ambassadors,” he said.

    Ogbuku said the commission had not increased the number of beneficiaries of the scholarship due to funding challenge.

    “We increased the allowance for the studies from 30,000 U.S. Dollars (N24.55 million) to 40,000 U.S. Dollars (N32.73 million), and this affected our finances, making it necessary for us to create a balance.

     “However, from 2024, we hope to reduce the number because of the high foreign exchange rate, while introducing scholarships for undergraduate students in Nigerian universities.

     “The introduction of scholarships in our universities will enable us to accommodate more persons in our scholarship programme,” he said.

    Also, the Director for Education, Health and Social Services, NDDC, Dr George Uzonwanne, said the interview process followed international best practices to produce the best scholars.

    Read Also: Fasoranti, Falae, others intervene in Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa’s feud

    Uzonwanne said the interview panellists were assembled from different disciplines in universities across the Niger Delta.

    The NDDC Deputy Director, Education, Mrs. Idara Akpabio, said the scholarship covered disciplines in engineering, including biomedical, software, marine, mechanical, electrical/electronic, and robotic.

    “Others are information technology, artificial intelligence, mathematics and sciences, medical sciences, hospitality management, law, architecture and environmental science,” Akpabio said.

     One of interviewees, Andy Imabibo, described the selection process as transparent and commended the commission for giving them the opportunity to study abroad.

    Another participant, Miss Kio Iyala, said the examination preceding the interview was hitch-free.

      “The timing of the examination was accurate, while the entire process was smooth.

     “One week after the computer-based test, I got a message to come for this interview today.

        “I hope to be selected among the final 200 scholars,” Iyala said.