By Ajibola Olarinoye
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) recently inaugurated a 23.75-kilometre road connecting Umuahia South and Ikwuano local government areas in Abia State, featuring 916 solar street lights.
During the inauguration, NDDC Managing Director/CEO, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the commission’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President. He stated, “We are strictly adhering to the policies of the Renewed Hope Agenda. This agenda is not just theoretical; it is practical and yields tangible benefits for the people in the region. If it were merely theoretical, the outcomes would be counterproductive.”
Ogbuku highlighted the importance of conducting a needs assessment, noting that the NDDC’s 2025 budget is focused on addressing the needs identified by the community. He stressed the significance of stakeholder engagement, stating,
“Without engaging stakeholders, we cannot effectively meet the needs of the people. This engagement is a fundamental aspect of the Renewed Hope Initiative within the President’s agenda.”
“We recognize that various sister agencies and ministries involved in the Renewed Hope Agenda are actively implementing its policies, and we can observe the positive outcomes in both our economy and other sectors. Currently, the economy is on an upward trajectory, aimed at benefiting the people of Nigeria.
“At first, the situation appeared challenging, but today, there is a sense of optimism, and the future looks very promising. We are here today to establish a partnership with the people of Abia State, in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Initiative, which emphasizes collaboration.”
The NDDC chairman emphasized that the commission undertakes its projects based on a needs assessment to ensure it engages with communities to understand their requirements.
He added that the interventionist agency also reviews the projects being implemented by the states to avoid duplication, noting that the governor of Abia State is making significant progress with the network of roads, stating.
“What we have accomplished here is simply to complement the efforts of the state government, ensuring that no project is duplicated across the Niger Delta,” he stated.
He emphasized that the positive outcomes are not solely the result of the NDDC’s efforts, but rather a collective responsibility. “This responsibility flows from the directives issued by the President and is overseen by the Ministry of Regional Development to guarantee sustainability,” he explained. He added that the management is tasked with executing the President’s mandate, known as the Renewed Hope initiative, which is transforming the NDDC from a focus on transactions to one of genuine transformation.
