Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Chart New Course For Niger Delta Development

The 25th Plenary of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has brought together key stakeholders, including President Bola Tinubu, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and others to discuss the future development of the Niger Delta region.

The gathering highlights the region’s significance to Nigeria’s economic prosperity, with Tinubu describing it as “the goose that lays the golden egg”.

The leaders have emphasized the need for sustainable development, human capital growth, and completion of abandoned critical projects.

With a focus on transitioning from oil dependency to renewable energy resources, the NDDC is poised to play a crucial role in shaping the region’s future.

Tinubu, who was the Special Guest of Honour at event, directed the NDDC to prioritize human capital development as a top agenda for the development of the region.

Represented by the Secretary to the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, at the commission’s 25th anniversary in Port Harcourt, Tinubu emphasized that human capital development is crucial for enhancing better delivery of development in the Niger Delta.

The President also charged the NDDC to complete ongoing road projects, including the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, Okrika-Borokiri Bridge, Bonny Ring Road, Gbaregolo Roads and Bridges, and the East-West Sampou Roads and Bridges, among others.

He commended the NDDC leadership for their efforts to improve the commission’s service delivery and encouraged them to sustain the momentum.

Tinubu also emphasized the importance of empowering the youth and women of the region, urging the NDDC to constructively engage the youth and steer them away from violence and militancy towards entrepreneurship and other legitimate means of self-development.

He encouraged the NDDC to collaborate with the Ministry of Youth Development to leverage various initiatives available.

The President highlighted the importance of agriculture in the Niger Delta, noting the region’s vast potential beyond oil and gas, encouraging the Commission to invest in agricultural initiatives that would unlock and maximize the region’s agrarian resources for the benefit of both the region and the country.

Tinubu also stressed that there can be no sustainable development without peace, security of lives and property, and adherence to the rule of law. He urged the NDDC to continue working towards sustaining peace in the region.

Jonathan Urges NDDC to Prioritize Long-Term Impact Over Short-Term Projects

Former President Jonathan has called on the NDDC to prioritize long-term impact over short-term, politically motivated projects. Speaking at the NDDC’s 25th Plenary as Guest of Honour, Jonathan commended the current leadership under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for its purposeful governance and urged the commission to deepen its commitment to performance-driven and inclusive governance.

Jonathan emphasized that the future of the Niger Delta region does not rest solely on oil and gas, but rather on agriculture, education, digital innovation, tourism, and renewable energy, stressing the need for the region to prepare for a post-oil economy and for the NDDC to focus on legacy projects, integrated planning, and robust collaboration with state governments, communities, and civil society actors.

The former President expressed delight that the current leadership is making efforts to complete abandoned projects across various states in the Niger Delta. He commended the results and urged the NDDC to resist the temptation to award contracts without adequate funding or capacity to execute.

“Let us move from vision to verifiable outcomes, from promises to measurable progress, from projects on paper to prosperity on the ground,” he said.

Jonathan also emphasized the importance of youth engagement and stability in the region. He encouraged young people to remain engaged, innovative, and committed to peace, noting that development can only take root in an atmosphere of stability.

“Let us nurture the culture of the word, creativity, reject violence, and demand accountability from our leaders,” he said.

The former President shared his personal connection to the NDDC, having served as an Assistant Director in the defunct Oil Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC), which was a precursor to the NDDC.

He highlighted the challenges posed by frequent changes in leadership, noting that the NDDC has had 11 CEOs in 25 years, with each CEO serving an average of 2 years and 3 months. This, he said, has hindered the commission’s ability to plan and complete significant projects.

Jonathan expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for retaining Dr. Ogbuku as NDDC CEO, allowing him to stay in office for over two years. He urged the President to allow the current leadership to complete ongoing projects, noting that this would be a testament to the administration’s commitment to development in the Niger Delta region.

Akpabio Faults NDDC’s Past Leadership, Praises Tinubu’s Support

The President of the 10th Senate, Akpabio, has faulted the past leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the commission’s problems, citing “periwinkle politics” and a lack of continuity in leadership.

Speaking at the NDDC’s 25th Plenary in Port Harcourt, Akpabio noted that the commission’s problems were exacerbated by management’s conspiracy against themselves and the staff.

Akpabio, who was Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, revealed that the NDDC had stayed in a rented apartment on Aba Road for almost 20 years, paying N300 million annually, despite the possibility of connecting the building to the national grid at a cost of less than N70 million.

He also alleged that the management staff were often the owners of subcontracts, contributing to the commission’s problems.

The Senate President also commended President Bola Tinubu for recognizing the need for continuity in NDDC’s leadership, allowing the current management under Dr. Sam Ogbuku to complete his term.

Akpabio urged the NDDC to maintain its newly acquired permanent office and address issues with its infrastructure, including the lifts, elevators, and escalators.

Akpabio expressed the Niger Delta region’s support for President Tinubu, saying that the region has assessed him and found him fit to continue in office beyond 2027.

He warned that any conspiracy against the government would not prosper, emphasizing the region’s unity and determination to stand behind the President.

The Senate President congratulated the NDDC management and staff on their 25th anniversary, wishing them well and expressing hope that the commission’s story would change forever under the current leadership.

He also commended President Tinubu for setting up a university of environment in Ogoniland and a maritime university in Delta State, saying that these initiatives would benefit the region and its people.

NDDC’s Responsibility to Transform Niger Delta Region

The Keynote Speaker at the NDDC’s 25th Plenary, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), noted that the NDDC has a crucial responsibility to transform the Niger Delta region, which is the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy.

Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the commission’s importance in addressing the challenges faced by oil-producing communities, including environmental degradation, poor infrastructure, and lack of economic opportunities.

She said the Federal Government established the NDDC as a vehicle for addressing the challenges faced by oil-producing communities.

She warned that the people of the region will hold the NDDC accountable for its performance, and it is crucial that the commission delivers on its promises.

“The commission’s purpose is to offer a lasting solution to the poor condition of the region, and it is expected to deliver concrete results. The people of the Niger Delta region are expecting the NDDC to positively impact their lives and ensure that the region contributes optimally to the country’s economy,” she said.

The NDDC’s event was described as an important opportunity for introspection, and the commission is expected to demonstrate concrete results.

She added: “The Niger Delta region is significant to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings and 70% of its fiscal revenue. The region deserves special attention in the form of good infrastructure and social services to ensure peace and stability, allowing it to continue contributing optimally to the country’s economy.

“The NDDC has a lofty goal of transforming the Niger Delta region, and it is expected to deliver concrete results. The commission’s success is crucial to the region’s development and the country’s economy.”

Tinubu, Jonathan, Akpabio, Others Chart New Course For Niger Delta Development is first published on The Whistler Newspaper