The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has assured that the Commission will continue to support security agencies to secure the waterways and boost the emerging blue economy in the country.
Speaking during the 2025 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association at Enugu’s International Conference Centre, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer noted that the Blue Economy is the future of the Niger Delta region.
According to Ogbuku, “The blue economy is central to the future of the Niger Delta region. It will strengthen our economy, lessen the burden of youth unemployment, improve food security, and support efforts to adapt to climate change.”
The NDDC boss, who led a team from the Commission, including the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, observed that the national policy on marine and blue economy would require the support of the security agencies to succeed.
He emphasised the need for collaboration to ensure that the Niger Delta region remained peaceful, noting that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.
He stated: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to the peace and development of the Niger Delta region, and he has given us a matching order to embark on legacy projects that will stand the test of time and impact lives in the region. We cannot achieve this if there is no peace.”
“For us in NDDC, we will continue to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that there is sustainable peace that will usher in development. The security forces have made so many sacrifices to ensure the safety of the region, and we will complement their efforts by executing legacy projects.”
Ogbuku noted: “We have always supported military formations and security agencies, and we are willing to do more. Last year, we did a lot for the Nigerian Navy, the Army and the Police. Our contributions are aimed at enhancing and supporting what the security agencies are doing.”
The Managing Director affirmed that the Commission was engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the task of developing the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region.
Speaking of the achievements of the commission in the last 25 years, he hinted that the frequent changes in management and boards of NDDC have caused setbacks to development in the region.
He stated, “For us at NDDC, we are targeting legacy projects. Our mandate is to complete those critical projects. We are intervening in critical areas because they are our responsibility.”
Ogbuku stated that under the leadership of the current Board and Management, the Commission has demonstrated a commitment to achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, who is concerned about the development of the Niger Delta region.
The Managing Director affirmed the positive impact of the “Light Up the Niger Delta” campaign, which he observed had reduced criminality in the various communities and enhanced commercial activities in the areas.
He noted: “We decided to adopt the clean energy approach, which not only provides light but helps in the fight to mitigate the effects of climate change on our environment and earn carbon credits for the Commission.”
Ogbuku told the body of lawyers that the Commission was making progress with its various youth development and empowerment schemes, including building a comprehensive database of the youth population of the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku said further: “We have also inaugurated the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture, NDCCITMA, which, along with the Bank of Industry, will serve as a platform for supporting young entrepreneurs in the region on a sustainable basis.
Intervening in the plenary session, an Executive Director at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile, commended the NDDC’s strategy of inter-agency collaboration in maintaining peace in the maritime environment.
He noted: “The Niger Delta region provides an estimated 75 per cent of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. Also evident is that most of Nigeria’s maritime domain and international coastline outside of Lagos, all of which are within the Gulf of Guinea, are in the coast of the Niger Delta, and this region is critical to the development of Nigeria’s blue economy.”
