President Bola Tinubu has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to fast-track the completion of abandoned infrastructure projects across the oil-rich region, calling it “the goose that lays the golden egg” and crucial to Nigeria’s economic future.
Speaking through the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the 25th anniversary plenary of the NDDC in Port Harcourt on Saturday, Tinubu announced that critical projects—including the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, Bonny Ring Road, and Gbaregolo Roads and Bridges—must be prioritised and delivered.
He also highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a flagship initiative intended to “foster trade and connectivity across the region,” serving as an alternative to the often-criticised East-West Road, while opening new opportunities in eco-tourism and blue economy sectors.
“The NDDC must not just build roads and bridges; it must touch lives,” Tinubu said, praising the commission’s “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative for improving safety and extending commercial activity in rural communities. He urged the agency to focus on human capital as a central pillar of development.
However, the celebratory mood at the event was tempered by scathing assessments from key dignitaries, who accused the commission of mismanagement and political interference over the past two decades.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan warned that the NDDC’s future hinged on resisting “politically motivated short-term projects” and instead embracing “long-term, people-focused infrastructure.” He lamented the frequent leadership changes—“over “11 CEOs in 25 years”—and ”applauded Tinubu for maintaining the current leadership.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed those concerns, citing a culture of waste and dysfunction. “For over 20 years, the NDDC operated from a rented apartment at N300 million a year without access to the national grid, yet diesel contracts were prioritised over a one-time grid connection,” he said.
World Trade Organisation Director-General, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, struck a similarly critical tone, calling on the commission to deliver tangible results. “Over N7 trillion has gone into the NDDC since its inception — where are the roads? The region still ranks low on human development indices. This is not acceptable.”
In response, NDDC Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, promised a new era of performance anchored on partnerships. “We don’t want to be defined by our past. We are building a future through collaboration with international oil companies, traditional rulers and community stakeholders,” he said.
Despite the pledges and criticism, many in the region remain wary, questioning whether the anniversary will mark a turning point or simply another rhetorical milestone for the long-neglected Niger Delta.
