NDDC has mandate to sort out insecurity – MD Ogbuku

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has reiterated that one of its core mandates is to tackle insecurity in the Niger Delta region.

Chief Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of NDDC, made this known on Monday in Asaba during a press briefing to mark the commission’s 25th anniversary. He explained that one of NDDC’s strategies is the illumination of communities, particularly through the installation of solar-powered street lights, to deter criminal activities.

According to him, “the Commission is installing electricity in the communities, especially solar lights to brighten the areas to frustrate criminals from carrying out deadly activities.”

He added that lighting up communities not only discourages crime but also fosters local commerce, particularly for low-income traders who rely on extended trading hours to support their families.

“Criminals don’t want light, they hate any place that is bright, they prefer darkness. Apart from the fact that electricity brings development, the benefits are more than the disadvantages. We shall keep providing the brightness,” he said.

On project execution, Ogbuku stated that NDDC is committed to completing abandoned legacy projects to ensure the full value of previous investments is realised.

He acknowledged the existence of several critical projects requiring completion and disclosed that the Commission has entered into partnerships with other intervention agencies to achieve this goal.

He further revealed that the NDDC is engaging with contractors to either complete the abandoned projects or relinquish them to the Commission for continuation.

“The Commission cannot just sack the contractors for non-performance since there is a contractual agreement and the Procurement Act to consider, in order to avoid litigation,” he explained.

Addressing stakeholder engagement, Ogbuku admitted that international oil companies, IOCs, had initially expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the Commission was neglecting projects in their operational areas. However, he noted that the IOCs have now been incorporated into the NDDC’s budget committee, enabling them to propose and prioritise projects in their host communities.

“They now bring out projects in their areas of operations. They are cooperating now that they are seeing the improvements. There are projects in Edo, Ondo, and other states where NDDC and NLNG are partnering.

“We are already discussing with Chevron and the Delta State Government on how to construct bridges. We have met with the Delta State Government five times on how to partner for developmental purposes.

“Now they have our confidence. Their contributions have increased. The Federal Government too has increased her funding of the Commission,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome address, chairman of the governing board, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, said the primary mission of the event was to engage with critical stakeholders and reflect on the commission’s journey over the past 25 years.

“We want to do the job with sincerity of purpose, not to betray the confidence bestowed on us. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding us worthy to do the job,” Ebie stated.