Yakubu Ahmed
Four-year board’s tenure
Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, has dispelled rumors surrounding the tenure of the commission’s current board.
He said that the board members, including himself, were appointed and cleasfor a four-year term by the country’s Senate.
During a press briefing at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku addressed speculation that his tenure as managing director would expire this year, describing such claims as baseless.
He cited Section 4 of the NDDC Establishment Act, which specifies that board members, aside from ex-officio members, serve a four-year term, with the possibility of reappointment for an additional four years.
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Ogbuku linked the misleading information to individuals dissatisfied with the board’s progress, particularly in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s development agenda for the Niger Delta region. He lamented that some parties, driven by selfish interests, are attempting to destabilize the Commission and hinder its performance.
Despite these challenges, Ogbuku reaffirmed that the NDDC Board and management are committed to the Commission’s “Transitioning from Transactions to Transformation” mission. He assured stakeholders that the board remains focused on delivering impactful, people-oriented projects.
Legacy goals
With the 2024 NDDC budget awaiting approval, Ogbuku revealed plans to secure N1 trillion in funding from development and commercial banks to complete legacy projects throughout the Niger Delta. These projects, he explained, include the construction of regional roads, bridges, hospitals, electricity infrastructure, and shore protection efforts.
In addition to the ongoing infrastructure projects, Ogbuku highlighted several key initiatives spearheaded by the board, including the Niger Delta Stakeholders’ Summit, which brought together youth and women to discuss the region’s future. The summit’s communique, outlining the resolutions, will be presented to President Tinubu.
Ogbuku also outlined the success of the NDDC’s free medical outreach across the nine states of the region. This initiative, which will now be held twice a year, provided essential healthcare services to rural communities.
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In response to a recent cholera outbreak, the Commission distributed 13 ambulances to regional hospitals and is working to secure more medical resources to combat further outbreaks.
On education, Ogbuku noted that the NDDC’s Foreign Post-Graduate Scholarship Programme has benefited over 2,300 students from the Niger Delta.
The Commission has released initial funds for the 2024/2025 scholarship cycle, and in response to the rising costs of foreign education, is considering offering local undergraduate scholarships.
“We have released the initial funds for beneficiaries of the 2024/2025 scholarship programme. In response to the rising costs of foreign education, we are considering offering local undergraduate scholarships,” Ogbuku said.
