The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has declared that the Commission has successfully evolved from a transactional to a transformational institution, emphasizing sustainable development, transparency, and inclusive governance in the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the NDDC World Press Conference marking the agency’s 25th anniversary in Asaba, Dr. Ogbuku highlighted the achievements, reforms, and new direction championed by the current NDDC Board, led by Chairman Chiedu Ebie.
He noted that the shift from “transaction to transformation” aims to reposition NDDC as a development catalyst, rather than a bureaucratic agency.
“We started by engaging stakeholders to understand their needs and restore trust. This trust has driven our integrity-led approach and impactful project delivery.
“Under the current Board, the NDDC has moved beyond traditional intervention to delivering systematic reforms and flagship projects that foster sustainable growth, institutional renewal and community empowerment. We believe in building strong institutions and fostering partnerships that deliver lasting change to the Niger Delta and beyond.
“Today, while we celebrate the achievements of NDDC, we are also celebrating the promise and commitment of NDDC to continue to develop the Niger Delta and improve the living conditions of our people. That is why, we recognize the commitment of our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has provided a veritable platform for the work NDDC is currently undertaking, including facilitating the execution of regional and legacy projects in the region,” Ogbuku said.
On key achievements, he said the NDDC which was established by an Act of Parliament in July 2000, 25 years ago, has changed the narrative and Institutional Reforms by leading “a strategic paradigm shift, embracing new approaches centered on transparency, accountability and stakeholder collaboration to reposition the NDDC as a development catalyst rather than a bureaucratic entity.”
He added that in achieving Governance Overhaul and Corporate Culture Transformation through the initiative of the current Board and Management, the Commission has “re-structured the administrative architecture of the Commission back to its 13 statutory Directorates, introduced robust Corporate Governance protocols, including KPIs and SOPs, through collaboration with KPMG. This formalized a value-driven institutional culture anchored on ethics and performance.”
On major projects delivery, the NDDC boss stated, “We commissioned 5 flagship projects across 5 states within 10 days in May 2024, including roads, bridges and power infrastructure, which include: 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe road in Abia State; 27km Ogbia Nembe road in Bayelsa State; 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Iwang-Opulom road and the 600m Ibeno Bridge in Akwa Ibom State; 45km dual-circuit 33KV feeder line (Omotosho-Okitipupa) in Ondo State; and 15 MVA 33/11KV substation (Amufi) in Edo state.
According to him, achievements in the area of health and social welfare intervention include the construction of modern Primary Healthcare centers, revived free medical programmes delivering over 20,000 sugeries, treating 45,000 patients and distributing essential supplies to rural communities.
On educational and skills development, he said the NDDC has revatilised the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship Programme, rehabilitated schools and distributed educational materials; and aligned the Youths empowerment by transitioning the Youths Volunteer Programme into a 10,000 trainee internship programme ( N50,000/month) and launched the Project HOPE skills initiative.
He further stated that in the area of sustainable energy and security enhancement, the Commission has deployed over 7000 solar powered street light across all the nine states in the region and improved security, public safety and clean energy adoption and is potentially creating carbon credit opportunities.
While in Agriculture and Livelihoods Support, the interventionist agency has partnered with cassava farmers and ITF Skill up Artisan Scheme to elevate productivity and equip youths with trade entrepreneurship skills.
