ASABA, DELTA STATE – The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has promised to focus on completing important and long-abandoned projects in the Niger Delta region. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, July 7, 2025, at the Dome Event Centre in Asaba, he said the NDDC is now more serious about planning, partnerships, and using resources wisely — not just trying to please people with empty promises.
Chief Ogbuku was joined at the event by top members of the NDDC team, including Mr. Chiedu Ebie (Chairman of the Governing Board), Hon. Alabo Bima Iyaye (Executive Director of Finance and Administration), and Mr. Victor Antai (Executive Director of Projects). Together, they made it clear that the days of randomly starting and stopping projects are over.
“When you talk about cancellation of projects, you don’t just wake up and start issuing stop orders,” Chief Ogbuku said firmly.
He explained that many abandoned projects come with legal agreements and approved payments, so canceling them without following due process would only cause more problems. He also mentioned the importance of the Procurement Act, which guides how public projects should be handled.
Another challenge he noted was weather conditions in the Niger Delta. Since the region only has about four dry months each year — from November to February — all construction work must be carefully planned to make the best use of that time.
“You cannot spread yourself too thin,” he said. “That’s why we are channeling our limited funds into high-impact legacy projects that will genuinely transform communities.”
Chief Ogbuku shared some success stories. One example is the Okrika-Orokri Road and Bridge, which was awarded way back in 2012 and then abandoned. But now, thanks to a partnership with NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas), the project is back on track and workers are back on site.
He also listed other projects like the Bonny Ring Road, Caidabai Bridge, and the Okitikpukpan electrification project — all of which had been forgotten but are now being revived.
“These were once forgotten, but the people are now smiling again,” he said. “That’s the impact we seek.”
Ogbuku said the NDDC will not pretend to fix everything at once. Instead, the Commission will focus on the most important and realistic projects, especially by partnering with private companies and other organizations.
“We will not deceive you,” he stated. “I will not sit here and promise that we will complete half of the outstanding projects — that would be dishonest. But I assure you, the critical ones we’ve identified will be completed.”
For many years, people in the Niger Delta have been disappointed by projects that started and were never finished. But Chief Ogbuku’s speech gave hope. He promised that the Commission will make better use of its funds and ensure that billions already spent on unfinished projects won’t be wasted.
“Our directive is clear: complete old, abandoned legacy projects. The people of the Niger Delta deserve nothing less.”
With better planning, stronger partnerships, and a focus on results, the NDDC says it’s ready to turn things around for communities across the region. This new approach could mean a better future for the Niger Delta — not just promises, but real progress.
