The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has strongly refuted a misleading publication by Sahara Reporters, which it described as malicious and aimed at damaging the reputation of the Commission and its leadership.
In its Thursday, September 25 report, Sahara Reporters alleged that NDDC projects were stalling because the Bola Tinubu administration failed to release the Commission’s forensic audit report. The platform also falsely claimed that ₦5 billion of public funds was used to sponsor the 50th birthday of NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
The Commission clarified that the allegations were untrue and intended to undermine its developmental efforts in the Niger Delta. It noted that Dr. Ogbuku’s birthday was sponsored solely by his family, friends, and associates. The event’s highlight was the launch of two books in Abuja, structured around intellectual reflection, communal celebration, and thanksgiving, rather than any extravagant spending.
Ongoing Projects Across the Niger Delta
Contrary to the claims of stalled projects, the NDDC continues to deliver on its mandate under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In recent months, several key infrastructure projects have been inaugurated:
February 2025: 9.6km Abraka-Oben Road in Delta State, alongside the flagged reconstruction of Abraka-Agbor Road.
March 2025: 7.3km Oyigbo Road Network in Rivers State, and reconstruction of Mgboji-Umuagbu Akwete Road linking Rivers, Abia, and Akwa Ibom.
April 2025: 7.8km Eziama-Abba-Owerre Nkworji Road in Imo State; 23.7km Ndoro-Ntalakwu Road Network and adjoining roads in Abia State.
June 2025: Commissioning of the NDDC Cross River State Office, an 8.1km road network in Calabar, and the new State Office Complex in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The Renewed Hope Multi-Purpose Training Centre in Otuokpoti, Bayelsa, was also launched.
Between May 18 and May 28, 2024, the Commission had already delivered five landmark projects, including:
9km Obehie-Oke-Ikpe Road in Abia State
25.7km Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State
15MVA electricity injection substation in Edo State
45km double-circuit feeder line from Omotosho Power Station to Okitipupa in Ondo State
6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road and 600m Ibeno Bridge in Akwa Ibom
Legacy Projects in Progress
The NDDC is also working on strategic projects such as:
The 1.2km Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni LGAs in Rivers State
The Okrika-Borikiri Bridge in Rivers State
Regional specialist hospitals in Cross River and Rivers States
The Bonny Ring Road in Rivers State
The Ikaa Bridge and interlinking road between Rivers and Abia States
NDDC’s Commitment to Development
The Commission stressed that these achievements are evidence of its unwavering commitment to transforming the Niger Delta and fulfilling President Tinubu’s mandate to change the region’s development narrative.
It urged the public to disregard Sahara Reporters’ false claims and focus instead on the Commission’s visible achievements and ongoing developmental initiatives that are positively impacting Niger Deltans.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs
