By Desmond Ejibas
Port Harcourt – Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the commission is waiting for the allocation of its 2024 budget to initiate big ticket projects across nine states.
He said that the NDDC states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.
Speaking at a news conference in Port Harcourt on Friday, Ogbuku said that the commission also aimed at reviving and completing legacy projects abandoned over the years.
He said that President Bola Tinubu had directed NDDC to accelerate the region’s development in alignment with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The 2024 NDDC budget will see to the revival and completion of most abandoned projects within two years, as directed by President Tinubu.
“We are committed to actualising this charge and eagerly await the passage of the budget.
“Once the budget is handed over to us, we assure everybody that the Niger Delta is going to be a busy place for everyone,” he said.
Ogbuku lauded the National Assembly and its leadership for expediting the approval of the NDDC budget.
He said that the commission was organising a regional summit on July 10 to engage all stakeholders to chart a new way forward for the region.
“Our engagements started with meetings with youths and women organisations, leaders of ethnic nationalities, and we will soon meet with the governors of the Niger Delta region.
“These consultations aim to build consensus before the stakeholder’s summit, where key issues, regional challenges, and the way forward will be discussed.
“The summit will educate our people on the benefits of the Renewed Hope Agenda for the Niger Delta people,” he added.
Emphasising NDDC’s commitment to its regional mandate, the managing director mentioned the adoption of a ‘Transaction to Transformation’ strategy by the board.
He highlighted the progress of the commission’s “Operation Light Up Niger Delta,” which had lit several communities in the creeks and hinterlands over recent months.
According to him, the second phase of the initiative has commenced, with many communities awaiting lighting through solar-powered streetlights.
“We urge all indigenes of the Niger Delta to return their investments in their region to foster wealth creation and employment,” Ogbuku appealed. (NAN)
