From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has called on stakeholders and the private sector to attract investments back to the Niger Delta region, stressing that sustainable development can only be achieved through collective commitment and strategic partnerships.
Speaking at the Niger Delta Business Roundtable organised by the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku stated that the current leadership of the Commission was determined to change the narrative by transitioning from transactional engagements to transformational development.
He said: “When we assumed office, there were numerous unfinished projects, but we have taken deliberate steps to complete them. We are encouraged by the assurance of Mr President of a stable four-year tenure, which places a moral responsibility on us to deliver results.”
The NDDC boss emphasised that the region must unite to address its shared challenges, particularly insecurity, which has driven urban migration and slowed economic growth.
He noted that addressing power supply challenges and curbing criminality informed the Commission’s “Operation Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative.
Highlighting ongoing and completed projects, Ogbuku listed key interventions such as the Okitipupa electrification project in Ondo State; the Ogbia–Nembe Road and Bridge; the Okrika road and bridge project; the Kaa–Ataba Road and Bridge; the Bonny Ring Road and the Regional Hospitals in Rivers and Cross River states.
He also disclosed ongoing collaboration with the Delta State Government on the 70.75-kilometre Omadino–Okerenkoko–Escravos Road and Bridges project.
The Managing Director further noted that the Commission had intensified its human capital development programmes, including training 500 youths in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion and creating a database to match beneficiaries with future opportunities based on competence.
Ogbuku acknowledged that past challenges, including frequent leadership changes, contributed to abandoned projects and to the erosion of public confidence in the Commission. He, however, assured stakeholders that stability under the current administration would restore trust and improve performance.
He disclosed that the establishment of the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture was intended to insulate the Commission from political pressures while supporting businesses in the region.
Calling on the private sector to take a leading role, he said: “The government provides infrastructure, but it is the private sector that drives business growth. The Niger Delta is peaceful and offers a viable platform for investments.”
In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, commended the NDCCITMA for organising the Niger Delta Business Roundtable and appreciated the efforts of beneficiaries who had repaid their loans.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NDCCITMA Board, Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, revealed that about 13,000 applicants had applied for loans, with over 3,000 businesses benefiting from the scheme, many of whom have begun repaying.
He urged participants to harness the region’s vast economic opportunities and contribute innovative ideas for prosperity.
In his remarks, the Board Secretary, Dr Solomon Edebiri, traced the evolution of the Chamber, noting that it had begun making significant impacts within a short period.
He highlighted the region’s strengths in agriculture and the blue economy, stressing the need to diversify beyond oil and gas.
Edebiri pointed out the disparity in export capacity between Lagos and Port Harcourt, noting that while Lagos accounts for about $200 million in exports, Port Harcourt records significantly lower figures.
He said the roundtable was designed to unlock business opportunities and address economic challenges in the region.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Simbi Kesiye Wabote emphasised the need for a new development agenda driven by strategic planning and regional collaboration.
He observed that although the Niger Delta contributes about 80 per cent of Nigeria’s earnings, the level of infrastructure and per capita income does not reflect this contribution.
Wabote called for the implementation of a Regional Master Plan, stressing that past development efforts were largely influenced by politics rather than sustainability. He urged stakeholders to build strong business institutions, set measurable targets, and foster synergy among the Niger Delta states to achieve long-term economic growth.
