Mohammed Shosanya

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has reaffirmed its commitment to regular engagement with critical stakeholders in driving the development process in the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, stated this when a delegation of stakeholders from Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, paid him a courtesy visit at the Commission’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt,a statement from Seledi ThompsonWakama,Director,Corporate Affairs,said on Tuesday.

He stated: “We all face the same challenges in the region and this means that we must all work together to address the challenges, regardless of our ethnic background.

Challenges, such as underdevelopment and ecological problems, confront all of us”,he said.

He said that NDDC would initiate several development projects in Ogba, Egbema and Ndonì communities. The development initiatives would cover construction of bridges and internal roads, youth empowerment schemes, agricultural development schemes as well as cultural revival schemes.

He stated that the Commission was committed to the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region through continuous stakeholders’ engagements and equitable distribution of available resources.

He noted that it was important to enhance collaboration between state governments, the NDDC, and other critical stakeholders to drive development through the monitoring and execution of regional projects.

He recalled that the NDDC recently hosted the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt, to articulate new strategies for driving the development of the Niger Delta region.

He added that the Commission had previously hosted a two-day 2024 Budget of Reconstruction Conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, where the stakeholders resolved that the best option for facilitating regional development was for all concerned parties to work together as partners.

He added that the people of the region must shift their focus from the acquired taste of crude oil exploration and exploitation to sustainable agricultural practices which had made the region prosperous for centuries.

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation from the palace of the Oba of Ogbaland, Dr Nwachukwu Nnam Obuoha Obi 111, Dr Chris Ojobah, appealed to the NDDC to extend more development projects to their communities.

He stated: “We would like to bring to your attention that the community of Ogba Egbema in Ndoni LGA, Rivers State is rich in natural resources and plays a vital role in contributing to the nation’s economy, with approximately 70 per cent of the country’s crude oil and gas originating from our region.”

Ojobah, however, acknowledged some of the development projects embarked upon by the NDDC in the Local Government Area, including the huge increase in the 2024 budget of the Commission, which they said was a significant milestone in terms of both value and strategy.

He said: “The Paramount Ruler of Ogba Egbema Ndoni LGA on behalf of the people of the communities, wish to express our sincere appreciation for the positive initiatives undertaken by your administration as the MD/CEO of NDDC. We commend the “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta Solar Initiative,” which has illuminated many communities in the Niger Delta region.”

In his remarks, the Representative of Rivers State on the NDDC Governing Board, Chief Tony Okocha, commended the delegation from the Oba of Ogbaland for choosing to consult, rather than confront the NDDC.

He noted that the people had demonstrated their commitment to peace as a prerequisite for development.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC has faulted viral reports,claiming that the Commission is diverting funds intended for contractors to finance the Edo All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship campaign.

Nothing can be farther from the truth. We are, therefore, constrained to respond to the false story about an imaginary diversion of NDDC funds. Curiously, the story was attributed to undisclosed sources from the rumour mill.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs of NDDC,clarified in a statement that the commission does not sponsor political parties or candidates contesting in elections at any level of government.

She said the commission’s mandate is to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region,adding that its Management is more determined to uphold its mantra, which is: “Making a Difference,” in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.

She implored members of the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations being introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

Moved to promote acvountability and transparency in public space,she revealed that the NDDC engaged the KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system, as well as improve its internal processes and institutional protocols.

According to her,the audit firm has helped the NDDC establish a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.

As part of this control mechanism,the commission recently held a meeting with members the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the NDDC, she said.

She added:”We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, “to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

“We assure our stakeholders and members of the public that the NDDC Board and Management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region”.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Delta State Governor,Sheriff Oborevwori, has pledged to collaborate and support the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in its efforts to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.

Governor Oborevwari spoke at the Delta State Government House, Asaba, during a courtesy visit by members of the NDDC Management team, led by the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director,Corporate Affairs of NDDC,conveyed this in a statement on Friday.

The NDDC team included the Executive Director Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other directors of the Commission.

The Governor appealed to NDDC to urgently complete all ongoing and uncompleted projects in the state, stressing the need for a strategic and collaborative approach between the Commission and the Niger Delta states to address the challenges confronting the people of the region.

He said: “I assure you that we are ready to collaborate with all development agencies committed to the development of the Niger Delta region and we are going to support you to enable you discharge your duties.”

Responding to the NDDC’s request for collaboration on the execution of the Omadino-Okeronkoko-Escravos Road, Oborevwari noted such a partnership which would involve Chevron was a welcome development.

He assured the NDDC that his government was open to partnership and collaboration in the execution of projects.

He urged the Commission to embark on projects that would add value to the lives of the people of the region.

On spoke on the issue of duplication of projects,and advised the Commission to avoid cases of duplication of projects.

He stated that it was very necessary to consult the states before embarking on projects in their respective territories.

Speaking earlier,the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said that the Commission would increase its collaboration with development partners, including the state governments and other stakeholders to achieve its objectives.

He assured the Governor that the NDDC Board and Management would work in synergy with governors in the nine states covered by the Commission.

He stressed the need to re-activate the NDDC Advisory Committee, as provided for in its Establishment Act, to advise and monitor the activities of the Commission.

Ogbuku made a case for a tripartite execution of the Omadino-Okorenkoko-Escravos Road, stating that when completed,the road would boost the economy of Delta State.

He said that discussions were on-going with Chevron, the major International Oil company operating in the state, as one of the parties in the execution of the project. Ogbuku presented a document detailing the proposal for the key project to the governor.

He noted that the NDDC recently inaugurated five mega projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region, which included the 25.7-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road, executed in partnership with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC.

He said further: “We also commissioned the 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV electricity substation at Okitipupa to serve over 2,000 communities in the southern part of Ondo State. Similarly, we inaugurated another 1×15 MVA 33/11 KVA injection substation in Amufi, Edo State.

“In Akwa Ibom State, we commissioned the 600-meter Ibeno Bridge and the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Atabrikang-Opolom-IwuoAchang Road in Ibeno Local Government Area. The N10 billion virgin road project links 20 communities, hitherto separated by the Qua Iboe River”.

In the area of youth development, Ogbuku, said that the NDDC had given more opportunities and hope to Niger Delta youths through our Holistic Opportunity Projects of Engagement, HOPE, meant to identify interests of the youths for skills training.

He said that the Project HOPE had helped the Commission to develop a comprehensive digital repository, comprising important information about the youths of the Niger Delta region; including their qualifications, skills, interests, needs, and current employment status.

Ogbuku remarked that the NDDC was working with the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce in the training of youths and young entrepreneurs in the Niger Delta region.

He explained that the Commission would collaborate with the Chamber of Commerce to support Small and Medium Enterprises in the region and ensure the sustainability of youth development programmes.

He added: “We are also partnering with the Bank of Industry to fund projects and support businesses to facilitate the success of our empowerment programmes.”

To ensure that a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance was established in NDDC, Ogbuku said that the Commission engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen its corporate governance system, as well as improve its internal processes and institutional protocols.

Mohammed Shosanya

Niger Delta Stakeholders have emphasized the need for additional funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC.

They said such funding should be legislated with at least 3 percent of Value Added Tax revenue

These were part of the resolutions contained in a communique issued at the end of the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024, which took place at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, a statement from Seledi Thompson-Wakama,Director, Corporate Affairs said.

The stakeholders resolved that funding the implementation of the regional development strategy should be done through three sources:Traditional budget sources; Public Private Partnerships; Development Finance

In order to support the funding plans, they agreed that the initiation of the Niger Delta Development Bank, NDDB, to drive the mobilisation of development finance from local and global sources should be given priority. “Loans should be given to SMEs within the region to drive economic and industrial growth.”

They emphasized the urgent need to re-activate the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Advisory Committee,in line with its Establishment Act, to advise and monitor the activities of the Commission.

The communique stated that there is urgent need to complete the East-West Road which was awarded nearly twenty years ago, to ease transportation across the region.

It further called for a thorough consideration of the NDDC (Establishment) Act, with a view to initiating amendments of the Act, where necessary.

On the issue of preparing a new roadmap for development, the stakeholders resolved that “proper planning is crucial to any development and therefore the review of the Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan, appropriate data gathering was essential to any realistic development plan. There must be quantitative and qualitative input from key stakeholders in preparing or reviewing the Masterplan.”

The summit agreed that all funds due and outstanding to the NDDC from statutory sources (including the Federal Government and ecological fund) be vigorously pursued and recovered.

The stakeholders underscored the import of increased synergy between the NDDC and the Advisory Committee to achieve a more efficiency and activate all organs provided for in the Act.

They addressed the issue of development agencies working at cross purposes and resolved that measures must be taken “to avoid duplication of projects and efforts in the region by ensuring robust consultation between the NDDC and the nine member states in project implementation.”

The summit said: “There is urgent need to remove the NDDC from the TSA Policy, as it limits the Commission from fully achieving its interventionist mandate. That the Federal Government should strictly adhere to the tenure provisions of the NDDC Act and avoid the incessant dissolution of Boards of the Commission and the aberrant issue of Interim Managements to run the affairs of the Commission. Also, the Commission should be insulated from Political interference which puts undue pressure on the leadership of the Commission”.

According to the communique, “the region’s educational curriculum should be reviewed and designed to meet 21st century needs. Technical and vocational training must be given priority by creating Technical/Vocational training hubs. There should be improved funding of the region’s educational system.

It said further: “On healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene, there should be sufficient funding of rural and community health centres and the training and retraining of the personnel to man them. The private sector should be engaged more in partnerships in these areas.”

The stakeholders made a case for women and youths, calling for more representation of women in all sectors of the region’s economy, adding that there should be programmes for Persons Living with Disability.

The communique posited: “On sports, tourism, culture and hospitality, there is need for sustained investment and capacity building in the region’s entertainment and creative industries.

“Sports development in areas where the region has comparative advantage such as swimming and wrestling should be given serious attention. There is need to have a special gathering for the creative industry.”

On the issue of the degradation of the environment through oil pollution, the stakeholders recommended a holistic remediation across communities in the Niger Delta to avoid compromise on cleaned areas, adding: “Government should uphold the provisions of Environmental Guidelines and Standards for the Petroleum Industry in Nigeria (EGASPIN) and enforce proper de-commissioning of oil facilities.

The communique also gave the prescriptions of the stakeholders on varied issues: namely that modern technology should be deployed in project monitoring and evaluation; that there should be an integrated waste management plant which can convert wastes to wealth and that for erosion control and flood management, there should be canalization, shore protection and land reclamation projects.

Other areas addressed,included community sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns on ecological issues; biodiversity conservation and reforestation to stimulate mangrove restoration; creation of technology hubs within the region to drive creativity, innovation and the rapid development of the region in areas of artificial intelligence and diversification from oil and gas to agro-based regional economy.

The communique called for a regular convocation of stakeholder engagements.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Government,has demonstrated its commitment to converting at least one million vehicles to run on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fuel by 2027.

The Commercial Operations Manager, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, PCNI, Mr. Omo Imoukhuede, disclosed this on Friday during a guided tour CNG filling in Abuja.

He said more CNG kit conversion
centres would be opened across the country in the coming days.

He stated that PCNI “has been very strategic in everything that we have done in pushing the CNG initiative to ensure that the adoption and awareness comes to light. We are starting with Abuja and we will be rolling out in other states across the Federation. Hopefully and as you can see, work is ongoing, the task will be accomplished”.

He noted that the first focus is on mass transit and commercial transport operators as they were key to the government’s target of reducing transportation cost.

Speaking to journalists at the NIPCO Plc CNG station, Assistant Manager, NIPCO Gas, Mr. Sunday Ayoola, said the installation of the conversion kit takes about five hours to complete.

He disclosed that the kit allows the vehicle to run with both petrol and CNG without any hitches, adding it costs about N4,000 to fill the cylinder at N200/standard cubic meter. He said with a full cylinder the vehicle could cover more than 150Km.

He assured motorists of the safety of the CNG cylinders, adding that “in case of impact nothing happens to this storage because it is 7mm (millimeter) thick. The cylinder has been designed to withstand impact and to withstand temperature.

“People are always apprehensive about natural gas, petrol and their volatility. Natural gas is lighter than and once it escapes from the cylinder it goes up above air making sure that there is no spool around unlike petrol. When there is leakage of petrol it creates a spool within the vehicle and any slight source of ignition, the vehicle is ignited. This is not so with natural gas and because of that basic property it is safer when compared to petrol”, he explained.

Mohammed Shosanya

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to correct the years of neglect of the Niger Delta region through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

He spoke at the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit 2024 held in Port Harcourt, where he was represented by the President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio.

A statement by Seledi Thompson-Wakama,Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC,quoted Tinubua as saying that the summit with the theme: “Renewed Hope for Sustainable Development of the Niger Delta Region,” marked a turning point.

He said: “This administration brings renewed hope and prosperity and I believe this is the season we have been waiting for. It is our time to shine. To achieve lasting solutions, we must overcome disunity. Unity among the people of the Niger Delta and the entire nation is not just a choice but a necessity. Through our shared vision, we can overcome the obstacles before us.”

“Mr. President is deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta. The East-West Road will be a priority. The National Assembly, fully represented here today, will do everything in its power to ensure the completion of this crucial road. Additionally, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project will not only commence from Lagos but will also start simultaneously from the Niger Delta, ensuring both ends meet to complete the project.

“The Niger Delta can sustain itself with its agricultural resources, especially in rice production and fish farming. By focusing on rice production, we can ensure that the Niger Delta not only meets its own needs but also contributes to the nation’s food supply. We should not be solely defined by our oil reserves, but also by our agricultural achievements”.

The Senate President commended NDDC Board and Management for delivering impactful projects in the Niger Delta region, citing the commissioning of the 25.7 km Ogbia-Emakalakala-Akipelai-Etiama-Nembe Road with seven bridges and the 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV electricity substation at Ode-Erinje in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.

He noted that the NDDC also commissioned the Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road with a 800-metre Ibeno Bridge.

Akpabio said that despite the challenges of developing the Niger Delta region, the NDDC had risen to the challenge by executing projects that have improved the lives of the people. He said that President Tinubu was very pleased with the performance of the current leadership of the NDDC.

The Chairman of the occasion and former President of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, said that as an intervention agency for the oil producing states, the NDDC had the mandate to bring development closer to the people, to foster hope, peace and inclusive governance in the region.

He added : “NDDC came as a child of necessity whose strategic role also includes to improve the environment, provide infrastructure, and enhance the livelihood of the people in the region.With the birth of this current leadership of NDDC, people from the Niger Delta have seen some rays of light. Therefore, I encourage the political class not to over stretch the NDDC for them to be able to perform optimally.”

The Minister for Niger Delta Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, said that the Niger delta region must diversify to reduce the reliance on fossil oil.

He reacted to the concerns raised about the deplorable state of some sections of the East West Road, stating that the NDDC had engaged a construction firm to carry out some remedial work, in order to reduce the suffering of road users in Rivers and Bayelsa states.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, lamented the bad condition of the East West Road and appealed to President Tinubu and the Federal Government to act swiftly to end the suffering of commuters at the Okogbe axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

Governor Diri, said he was stuck for more than two hours at the bad portion of the road on his way to the Niger Delta Stakeholders Summit in Port Harcourt.

The former Governor, Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke, said that the stakeholders’ summit was a platform for a crucial reflection on the productivity of the populace in light of the abundance of hydrocarbons and vast gas reserves.

“However, it is imperative to prioritize the health and welfare of the people above all else. As an intervention agency, fostering collaboration with state governors is essential, and concerted efforts must be made to address the issue of abandoned projects that currently plague the region,” he said.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, assured participants at the summit that their recommendations would be followed studiously to change the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has said that the early approval of its 2024 budget,will assist the commission to fast track the development and socio-economic transformation of the Niger Delta region.

Its Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku,disclosed this while presenting the 2024 budget estimates of N1.9 trillion to the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC at the National Assembly in Abuja.

Ogbuku highlighted the success stories of the NDDC with its 2023 budget estimates, saying that a lot of progress were recorded in the region and that much was being done to complete all ongoing projects embarked upon by the Commission.

Dr Ogbuku,in a statement signed by the commission’s Corporate Affairs Director, Seledi Thompson-Wakama on Thursday, explained that in preparing the 2024 Budget, entitled “Budget of Renewed Hope”, the primary objective was to sustain robust foundation for sustainable economic development and greener future for the region.

He further stated that the proposed budget will be funded through Federal Government contribution, oil companies’ contribution, ecological fund, arrears owed NDDC by the Federal Government and recoveries by Federal Government agencies revenue brought forward, borrowings and internally realized income.

Dr Ogbuku emphasised that the NDDC had partnered the Industrial Training Fund to gainfully engage the youths of the region in reducing crime and economic sabotage.

“Investing in critical infrastructure is a key component of our fiscal strategy under the 2024 Budget Proposals. The present management has reviewed its process of intervention by adopting the Public-Private-Partnership model as a vehicle to drive sustainable development in the Niger Delta Region.

“To this end, we are in partnership with the Industrial Training Fund to gainfully engage the youths of the region to reduce crime and economic sabotage.

“We have strategically made provisions towards diversifying our sources of funding as we intend to source an aggregate sum of One trillion naira to fund on-going legacy projects of the Commission in 2024”, Ogbuku stated.

Speaking on fiscal reforms,he said: “we shall introduce new performance management frameworks to regulate the overhead cost. Accordingly, only activities that are tied to measurable programmes will be approved. We have moved away from the line-item budgeting system to sectoral allocation.

“I once again commend the 10th National Assembly’s firm commitment to stop the unnecessary circle of delayed annual budgets.

“I am confident that with our renewed partnership, the deliberations on the 2024 Budget shall be completed soon to pave way for the 2025 budget as this present Management is poised to normalize NDDC budget calendar”.

Dr Ogbuku reiterated the commission’s commitment in deepening the relationship it has with the National Assembly.

He stated: “It is a matter of recorded history that we have moved from being transactional to transformational, and transformation is practical. In this regard, we thought it has to be all encompassing, from areas of youth training, areas of supporting our entrepreneurs, areas of infrastructure and development.

“In the area of our youth training, we came up with Project HOPE to put together a proper database of the Youths and Artisans of the Niger Delta Region. It will aid us in engaging these youths in their area of competence.

“In the area of infrastructure, we came up with “Operation Light Up Niger Delta Region”, this has seen a reasonable number of the communities being lit up using solar powered street lights which have boosted the economic activities of the communities at night.

He added: “Health is wealth, and good health remains at the core of human development. The NDDC, through the free medical mission has provided health solutions to over two million Niger Deltans across communities in the Region and remains committed to working with relevant stakeholders to improve healthcare and all other critical sectors that impact positively on the overall development of the health and wellness of the people of the Region.

“In education, we have awarded foreign scholarships to 750 individuals between 2023-2024 and provided educational grants to 84 individuals. Additionally, we are distributing 45,000 Ulesson tablets preloaded with Nigerian and WAEC syllabus to schools in the 9 States in the Niger Delta region”.

He told the Federal Lawmakers that a new dawn of progress and development is emerging under the present Management of the NDDC as standards and effectiveness are being redefined in driving positive change in the region.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiateke Ibori-Seun, commended the Management Team of the Commission for the comprehensive documentation and promised accelerated legislative action on the proposed budget.