. R-L: The Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie; NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku; the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh; the Imo State Deputy Governor, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru; and the DG of BRACED Commission, Ambassador Joe Keshi.
The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has charged Regional Development Commissions across the country to emulate the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by developing comprehensive master plans that will be harmonised into a national regional development compass.
Momoh gave the charge at the NDDC 2026 Partners for Sustainable Development, PSD, Conference held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said each development commission is expected to derive its operational agenda from its master plan, in line with the Ministry's mandate to coordinate regional development nationwide.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government is working on a new policy framework to harmonise regional development initiatives to promote coordinated and inclusive growth.
Momoh commended the NDDC Board and Management for convening the conference, describing it as timely, noting that no single institution can tackle the complex challenges of the Niger Delta alone.
He said the region's progress depends on how stakeholders plan, invest and act together, adding that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains committed to programmes that expand opportunities, strengthen livelihoods and ensure lasting prosperity.
Also speaking, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Chinyere Ekomaru, stressed the need for governors of the nine oil-producing states to partner with the NDDC for sustainable development. He said Imo State will continue to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said stakeholder engagement remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda and is critical to ensuring government projects are understood and supported by the people.
Ogbuku announced that the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State will be named after President Bola Tinubu.
He said the Commission is focused on building trust and institutionalising good corporate governance.
"We have established processes to ensure a new institutional culture anchored in sound ethics and good corporate governance. KPMG has reviewed our processes to strengthen our governance system. We now have a robust structure that fosters accountability and transparency, backed by clear and measurable Key Performance Indicators," Ogbuku stated.
He added that the NDDC cannot plan programmes for the region without involving stakeholders at the foundational level.
On his part, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, said the Commission has adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, and Governance Advisory Policies approved by the Board, which will serve as its rule book and guide all its operations.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, assured that the Senate will continue to strengthen oversight to ensure transparency, efficiency and timely delivery of projects in the Niger Delta.
