Speaking during a three-day retreat organised by the Ministry of Regional Development for the Regional Development Commissions in Benin, Edo State, Ogbuku stressed the need for continuity in the leadership of the NDDC to ensure that development projects are completed rather than abandoned.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer observed that from 2015 to 2023, the NDDC management was led by nine Managing Directors, causing significant instability within the Commission.
Ogbuku thanked President Tinubu for assuring that the current NDDC Board would serve out its four-year tenure. He also commended the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, for being a strong pillar for the Commission, both administratively and in providing technical support.
He stated: “Mr President has charged us to complete all legacy projects for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region.”
Speaking on the gains of the Public-Private Partnerships, PPP, in the execution of NDDC projects, Ogbuku declared, “We will complete the Kaa-Ataba bridge in Rivers State in July. It is one of the projects we are partnering with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG, to complete. The other major project is the 29-kilometre Bonny Ring Road with 9 bridges.
He noted that the Commission was also working with the Delta State Government and Chevron Nigeria Limited on the 70.75 km Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and bridges in the Warri North Local Government Area.
Ogbuku recalled that between May 18 and May 28, 2024, the NDDC commissioned five impactful projects in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo states, covering roads, bridges and electricity projects.
He listed the projects as the 9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Ukwa West LGA, Abia State; the 25.7 kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State; the 1×15MVA 33/11KV electricity injection substation in Amufi, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area in Benin City, Edo State; the 45km double-circuit 33KV feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa, Ondo State; and the NDDC 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Ibeno LGA, Akwa Ibom State.
He further stated that in February 2025, the NDDC inaugurated the 9.6-kilometre Abraka-Oben Road in Abraka, Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, and flagged off the reconstruction of the Abraka-Agbor Road.
Ogbuku assured that the NDDC was set for another round of project commissioning, noting that the completed projects included the 750-bed Niger Delta University hotel complex in Amassoma, Bayelsa State.
He affirmed that the Commission has created a corporate governance framework and commenced implementing a new Governance Advisory Report as part of its strategy to consolidate its performance and reposition itself for greater impact. “We are committed to restoring credibility through transparency,” he said.
The NDDC boss further stated that the Commission had galvanised the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, by releasing N5 billion counterpart fund for the development of young entrepreneurs.
He remarked that the Commission was supporting the NDCCITMA to drive economic growth and development in the Niger Delta region by providing financial support, training, and networking opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs.
“We have so far registered 980,000 youths on the database, and this is helping us to train many young people. Just recently, we trained 500 Niger Delta youths in CNG Autogas Conversion in Akwa Ibom State,” Ogbuku remarked.
Presenting a paper at the retreat, the Director General, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, advocated the use of Special Purpose Vehicles, SPV, to deliver services to the people.
In his paper entitled: “Exploring Alternative Sources of Funding for Infrastructural Development by Regional Development Commissions: The Role of Public-Private Partnership, PPP,” Ewalefoh stated that the country’s huge infrastructure gap made the use of PPP arrangements imperative.
In another paper, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, spoke on “Understanding Public Service Rules and Administrative Procedures vis-à-vis other existing Laws.”
She said that the strength of public service was not measured by the number of rules, but by the quality of their application
