Partner with NDDC to fast-track Niger Delta development, Uzodimma tells oil states

The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, has stressed the need for governors of the nine oil-producing states to partner with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for sustainable development of the region.

Uzodimma spoke on Wednesday at the 2026 NDDC Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD), held at the Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Represented by his deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, the governor said the Imo State Government would continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to bring hope to the people of the state and the Niger Delta.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has announced that the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana Local Government Area to Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State will be named after President Tinubu.

Ogbuku, who stressed the importance of stakeholder engagement as a cardinal point of the Renewed Hope Agenda, said: “The importance of stakeholders’ engagement is to ensure that projects and activities of government are well understood by the people to create room for synergy.”

He said it is crucial to build trust with all partners to secure their buy-in and confidence.

“In this respect, we have established processes to ensure that a new institutional culture, anchored in sound ethics and good corporate governance, is in place,” he declared.

The NDDC boss noted that the Commission has a duty to harness resources from stakeholders.

“We have gathered at this conference to hear from the stakeholders to interact with them and rub minds because we realise that we cannot be planning programmes for the region without involving them at the foundational level,” Ogbuku said.

He disclosed that KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, has reviewed the Commission’s processes.

“We now have a robust Corporate Governance structure that fosters accountability and transparency, backed by a clear and measurable set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), to track progress toward goals,” he stated.

According to him, the emphasis on collaboration aligns with Tinubu’s policy of carrying stakeholders along and delivering legacy projects in the Niger Delta.

“Through engagement, the NDDC aims to foster partnerships to leverage collective strengths, overcome challenges, and avoid working at cross-purposes,” he added.

Earlier, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, said the Commission has adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Governance Advisory Policies as approved by the Board, which “shall constitute the Commission’s Rule Book and strictly guide all processes and operations within the Commission.”

Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured that the Senate Committee would continue to strengthen oversight to ensure transparency, efficiency and timely delivery of projects across the region.

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