Strengthen NDDC As Central Actor In Niger Delta Development -- Ajumogobia Urges
A former Minister of Petroleum Resources and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Henry Odein Ajumogobia, has called for the strengthening of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as the leading agency for coordinating development initiatives across the Niger Delta region.
Ajumogobia made the call while delivering the keynote address at the NDDC Law and Development Summit held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He emphasized the need to empower the Commission to effectively serve as the central coordinating body among development partners operating in Nigeria's oil-rich region.
According to him, the NDDC has been constrained by a fragmented governance structure that has weakened its ability to effectively drive development in the region.
"Rather than functioning as the central coordinating body, the NDDC has become one layer in a crowded ecosystem where responsibilities are diffuse and unclear. This has produced patterns of duplication in which multiple actors work at cross-purposes while oil-producing communities remain underdeveloped," he stated.
Ajumogobia noted that the Commission's challenges extend beyond administrative limitations, stressing that they are largely structural in nature.
"The NDDC operates within a fragmented governance architecture characterised by overlapping mandates among federal institutions, state governments, private sector actors, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and development programmes," he added.
Speaking at the summit, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, highlighted the critical role of law in driving sustainable development.
He described law as more than a system of rules and restrictions, saying it serves as a powerful instrument for social engineering, economic transformation, institutional strengthening, environmental sustainability, and the protection of citizens' rights.
Ebie said the summit's theme, "The Role of Law in Driving Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta," was both timely and transformative.
"For the people of the Niger Delta, a region whose vast natural wealth has for too long stood in painful contrast to the poverty and neglect of its communities, these are not abstract ideals. They are urgent, lived realities. The aspirations of our people demand nothing less than a legal architecture that is bold, responsive, and fit for purpose," he remarked.
He further disclosed that the current Board and Management had adopted innovative approaches to improve service delivery, strengthen internal governance structures, and accelerate development programmes across the region.
In his opening remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, stressed that sustainable development in the Niger Delta goes beyond physical infrastructure.
According to him, true development requires a balanced integration of economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection to guarantee long-term prosperity for the region.
Ogbuku stated that upon assuming office, the current Board and Management embarked on deliberate reforms aimed at transforming the Commission from a transactional institution into a transformational development agency.
"We made conscious and intentional efforts to reposition the Commission from transactions to transformation. To achieve this, we engaged KPMG Advisory to review our internal processes and develop new corporate governance policies that now serve as the foundation of our operations," he said.
The Managing Director disclosed that the Commission had also reformed its procurement processes, making them more transparent and efficient.
"As of today, nearly 90 per cent of the NDDC's processes have been digitalised. Contractors and stakeholders can now execute contracts electronically from the comfort of their homes and offices, with minimal physical contact," he added.
Ogbuku explained that the Law and Development Summit was convened to further strengthen the legal and institutional frameworks guiding the Commission's operations.
He noted that the summit brought together legal experts, development partners, sustainability professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders to explore how legal frameworks can support sustainable development in the Niger Delta.
Earlier, the Director of Legal Services of the NDDC, Sir Victor Arenyeka, observed that the Commission was established by law and operates within a framework regulated by its Establishment Act and other relevant statutes.
He said the summit was designed to provide a strategic platform for policymakers, legal practitioners, development experts, traditional institutions, environmental advocates, academics, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to critically examine how law, governance, policy implementation, and institutional accountability can serve as effective tools for sustainable regional transformation.
The summit underscored the growing consensus among stakeholders that strengthening legal and institutional frameworks remains essential for achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life of communities across the Niger Delta.
