As part of activities to commemorate its 25th anniversary, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced a renewed focus on completing abandoned legacy projects across the Niger Delta region. The Commission’s Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made the disclosure on Monday during a world press conference held in Asaba, the Delta State capital, to officially kick off the Commission’s silver jubilee celebrations.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ogbuku stated that the NDDC is prioritizing the revival and completion of several long-abandoned projects that have stalled progress in the region. According to him, these legacy projects—many of which were initiated over the years but left unfinished—are now central to the Commission’s development strategy.
“Today, we are targeting abandoned legacy projects while we put our funds together to complete these projects,” Dr. Ogbuku said, emphasizing that the goal is to deliver tangible and sustainable results to the people of the Niger Delta.
He noted that the move reflects a broader effort by the NDDC to reposition itself as a results-driven institution that delivers on its mandate of facilitating development, infrastructure, and economic empowerment in Nigeria’s oil-producing states.
To achieve this, Dr. Ogbuku explained that the Commission will adopt a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to fund and implement the completion of the abandoned projects. This approach, he said, will help attract private sector investment and expertise, ensuring that critical infrastructure and service delivery projects are completed efficiently and sustainably.
“We understand that government alone cannot shoulder the financial burden of development,” he said. “That is why we are engaging with private sector partners to leverage funding, technology, and project management skills that can help us bring these legacy projects to life.”
He also highlighted that the completion of these projects—ranging from roads and bridges to healthcare, educational, and water supply facilities—would not only fulfill the Commission’s mandate but also stimulate economic activity and improve the quality of life in host communities.
As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations, Dr. Ogbuku said the Commission will also reflect on its achievements, challenges, and future plans. The silver jubilee, according to him, offers an opportunity to reconnect with stakeholders, engage the public, and recommit to the Commission’s founding vision of a peaceful, prosperous, and developed Niger Delta.
Since its establishment in 2000, the NDDC has been tasked with accelerating development in the Niger Delta, a region that remains strategically vital to Nigeria’s economy but continues to grapple with underdevelopment and environmental degradation. Over the years, concerns have mounted about the number of uncompleted or poorly executed projects scattered across the region.
Dr. Ogbuku’s administration has pledged to change that narrative. Under his leadership, the Commission has been rolling out reform-focused policies aimed at enhancing transparency, accountability, and value-for-money in its operations.
Stakeholders and civil society groups have welcomed the new direction, urging the NDDC to ensure that project selection and execution remain guided by community needs and long-term impact.
As the Commission marks 25 years of existence, the renewed focus on legacy project completion could be a turning point—signaling a more effective and accountable NDDC committed to delivering real dividends of development to the people of the Niger Delta.
