“We have never seen a team like this” – as Niger Delta elders commend NDDC leadership

Some groups have fought to the highest levels to unseat the topmost leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to no avail.

Now, the Pan Niger Delta Development Forum (PANDEF) has come out to openly commend the leadership of the NDDC for its commitment to transparency, accountability, and infrastructure development in the region.ignig

Many moves including court cases were initiated to either remove the chairman of the board or to stop the managing director from a new tenure, but none worked. It appears some quiet has downed on the intervention agency.

Now, the highest body in the region, PANDEF, has openly endorsed the management and leadership of the agency.

Giving the commendation during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the umbrella organisation of Niger Delta people at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, PANDEF’s national chairman, Godknows Igali, lauded the Commission’s leadership, describing it as visionary and result-driven.

He declared: “We have never seen a leadership team like this, and we thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support. Your interventions in infrastructure, particularly the Benin-Ore Road and the Light Up Niger Delta initiative, are commendable. Your youth development programmes are also making a significant impact.”

He assured the Commission of PANDEF’s continued collaboration, reiterating the group’s role as the voice of the Niger Delta people in the civic space.

“We believe in working closely with you and reaffirm our support for your administration. We urge Mr. President, the governors, and other stakeholders to provide you with the necessary tools to succeed,” he said.

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Responding, the NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to transformational leadership and accountability.

He stated that NDDC had engaged the globally renowned audit firm, KPMG, to review its operations, adding that the report’s recommendations would be fully implemented to enhance transparency and efficiency.

He noted: “There have been anomalies in the past, but we are focused on the future. We agreed with KPMG to begin implementing the report’s recommendations internally and externally.”

He emphasized that data would drive all NDDC programmes to ensure proper monitoring and equitable distribution of benefits. Regarding the Commission’s youth empowerment initiative, he confirmed that payments to registered beneficiaries would commence this month.

Ogbuku highlighted recent strides in infrastructure, particularly road projects. He disclosed that the Auchi-Benin Road, a vital economic artery in the Niger Delta, has been prioritised for intervention.

In contrast, the Auchi-Eruwe Road has been completed and was now in good condition. Additionally, work on the Port Harcourt-Owerri Road has progressed to the asphalting stage, and the Agbor-Uromi Road would soon receive attention.

The NDDC boss said that the Commission engaged International Oil Companies (IOCs) to attract partnerships for large-scale projects. “We are collaborating with Nigeria LNG (NLNG) to facilitate the construction of the Bonny Ring Road. Other major road projects are also in progress, including the Kaa-Ataba and Borokiri-Okrika roads,” he said.

Acknowledging the region’s high demand for solar power projects, Ogbuku announced that NDDC would explore building solar mini-grids in collaboration with electricity distribution companies (DisCos).

He noted that 2025 would mark NDDC’s 25th anniversary with a series of activities planned, including the commissioning of completed projects, noting: “A major highlight will be the inaugural Niger Delta Sports Festival aimed at fostering regional integration and developing amateur sporting talents. Akwa Ibom State will host the festival.

“All abandoned projects will be revisited in line with the directive of Mr. President. The NDDC has achieved a lot, and we are proud to celebrate not just the Commission but the people of the Niger Delta.”

Key NDDC executives, including the NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai; the Executive Director of Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde; and other Commission’s Directors, attended the event.