The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it has completed more than 600 kilometres of roads and several bridges across the Niger Delta over the past three years as part of efforts to accelerate development in the region.
The Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit by Heads of Service from across the country to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku’s remarks were contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama.
Represented by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Mr Boma Iyaye, Ogbuku said the commission remained committed to delivering impactful infrastructure projects that improve the lives of people in the Niger Delta.
“We have completed over 600 kilometres of roads, alongside several bridges, within the last three years,” he said.
He revealed that the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge, one of Nigeria’s longest bridges, is nearing completion and will soon be inaugurated.
According to him, the commission’s infrastructure projects have enhanced connectivity across the region and strengthened public confidence in the agency’s interventions.
Ogbuku also said the NDDC had fully digitised its operations, including procurement processes, to improve efficiency, transparency and service delivery.
“The commission has gone paperless through the digitisation of its transactions, including procurement processes,” he stated.
He added that the commission had deepened partnerships with state governments and development partners, including Shell, Nigerian LNG Limited (NLNG) and Chevron, to execute major development projects across the region.
The managing director also highlighted the revival of the commission’s foreign postgraduate scholarship scheme and the introduction of a local postgraduate scholarship programme.
He said the initiative had expanded educational opportunities for about 600 additional beneficiaries across the Niger Delta.
Ogbuku further disclosed that the commission had invested more than N6 billion in small businesses through the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture to stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty.
“The intervention is aimed at stimulating economic growth and reducing poverty in the region,” he said.
He listed the construction and equipping of healthcare facilities, alongside free medical outreach programmes, among the commission’s major achievements in the health sector.
Ogbuku also attributed the increase in crude oil production in the Niger Delta to improved collaboration with security agencies and youth engagement initiatives, which he said had helped curb oil theft.
He further highlighted the success of the commission’s Light Up the Niger Delta programme, which has provided solar-powered street lighting to communities across the region.
Earlier, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, commended the NDDC for embracing digital transformation.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategic Office, Mr Ishiayaku Muhammed, Walson-Jack said the commission’s paperless initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s directive for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to adopt digital operations.
She called for stronger collaboration with the NDDC and stressed the importance of staff welfare, training and capacity building in enhancing public service delivery.
“The NDDC’s reforms and development initiatives have made a significant contribution to the growth of the Niger Delta region,” she said.
source: NAN
