President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to prioritise and complete key infrastructure projects that have long been abandoned across the Niger Delta region.
Speaking during the plenary session marking the 25th anniversary of the NDDC in Port Harcourt, Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, described the Niger Delta as central to Nigeria’s economic growth, calling it “the goose that lays the golden egg.”
The president emphasised that completing critical infrastructure in the region is essential not only to regional development but also to national stability and progress.
He highlighted the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway as a transformative infrastructure project, positioned to serve as a viable alternative to the East-West Road.
According to Tinubu, the highway “will boost trade, enhance regional connectivity, and open new investment opportunities in the hydrocarbon-rich belt, while promoting eco-tourism and blue economy ventures.”
He specifically instructed the NDDC, through the Ministry of Regional Development, to ensure the completion and delivery of major projects such as the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, Okrika-Borokiri Bridge, Bonny Ring Road, Gbaregolo Roads and Bridges, and the East-West Sampou Road project, among others.
The president also praised the current leadership of the NDDC for improving service delivery and urged them to maintain the pace of progress.
“Infrastructure alone is not enough,” he said. “Human capital development must remain a core focus. Initiatives that directly impact the lives of rural dwellers must take priority.”
He commended the “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative for improving security, extending business hours, and enriching social life across communities.
While congratulating the commission on its silver jubilee, Tinubu appealed to the people of the Niger Delta to continue supporting the policies and reforms of his administration.
Also speaking at the event, former President Goodluck Jonathan advised the commission to shift its focus from short-term, politically driven projects to sustainable, people-oriented infrastructure.
Jonathan lamented the frequent leadership changes at the commission, which he said have hindered its performance. “In just 25 years, the NDDC has had over 11 chief executives,” he said. “Let the next 25 years be known for legacy projects and not just rhetoric. Stop awarding contracts that lack proper funding.”
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also addressed the gathering, echoed similar sentiments, blaming internal corruption and leadership instability for the agency’s shortcomings.
Post a Comment
Drop Your Comment In The Box Below