By Femi Anamelechi
The Niger Delta Development Commission has become one the traill Blazer of regional development and economic A tip toe in the activities of the commission (NDDC) over the past month has become evident that the interventionist agency has been at the forefront of commissioning mega projects across the nine states of the Niger Delta region. The massive project inauguration have captured the interest of many Nigerians. The first noticeable shift since the inauguration of the new board is the commitment of the Board to transitioning from petty projects to large-scale infrastructural developments. Initially, when the NDDC, under the leadership of the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, embarked on a massive transformational solar-powered lighting project across the Niger Delta, critics a lot of people questioned what seemingly was regarded as a white elephant project without relevance. , Pointing out that it was not part of the agency’s mandate.
The pundits failed to appreciate that the processes involved in illuminating a community and executing a construction project are vastly different. Little did they realize that Lighting up a region is a more pragmatic solution to development, It is common sense that infrastructure development requires meticulous planning, funding, and execution. Regrettably these arm chair critics failed to appreciate underlining visions behind the project. Whereas the Niger Delta was being illuminated plans were on for a sound and sustainable reconstruction of the region. An intelligent assessments of the Niger Delta would reveal the extent of this transformation, with major towns and rural communities benefiting from the improved security and economic activities that come with electrification. NDDC has gone beyond constructing mere classroom blocks and boreholes.
The agency, led by its Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, and MD, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, is now focusing on connecting states with major road networks, building bridges, powering entire communities with electricity by linking them to the national grid, and constructing mega hospitals and other life-changing infrastructure. It is imperative to state that in just one week, NDDC commissioned two major road projects, to the amazement of thousands of community dwellers. These include the reconstructed Abraka-Oben Road (Phase 1) and the reconstruction of the Oyigbo road network (Obunku-Umuosi-Obeakpu-Mgboji-Ndoki road) in Oyigbo LGA of Rivers State. While residents were still celebrating this ground breaking projects, NDDC also flagged off the rehabilitation of failed portions of the Abraka-Agbor road and the commencement of the Mgboji-Umuagbai-Akwete road project.
NDDC before this era was notorious and synonymous with abandoned projects and failed leadership. It is indeed a new Dawn orchestrated by the dynamic and purpose driven leadership of the new board *What is Behind NDDC’s Success*? The answers are not far fetched neither is it rocket science. It is basically a combination of Visionary, purpose driven actions and reforms. There seems to be ight after all for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which places a high premium on the development of the Niger Delta. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may not have scored on other scorecards but he has unequivocally pointed out that Niger Delta is a instrumental to National development and that the region must be developed.
A new paradigm shift on accountability has set the tone for the agency’s remarkable turnaround. While commending Mr. President, there is no gain saying that Presidential directive alone cannot be sufficient to bring about such transformation. in the not too distant past. Nigeria has witnessed instances where high-level executive orders were shamelessly abandoned without recourse to national Interest. The recent transformational leadership in NDDC can not just President Tinubu’s initiative, or that of Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh FNSE,It is because for once Nigeria seem to have found a way out of placing merit above mediocrity. The NDDC management and board, under the leadership of Chiedu Ebie and Samuel Ogbuku, signed a performance bond.
This strategic move is the game-changer, Government both Federal and at what ever levels must set key performance index and clear mandates that will guide and serve as benchmarks for officials performance. With a clear cut performance bond in place it become easier for assessment.At this juncture pundits still would wish to ask the question: is it possible for NDDC board to fail despite this mandate? The obvious answer is YES. It is note worthy to point out other critical element like stability in leadership. Observers are quick here to note a clear departure from the norm. For the first time in a long while, the supervisory ministry, the NDDC management, and the board are operating on the same page, with no internal conflicts or politicking.
This unity has enabled smooth decision-making and effective project execution, proving to be another game-changer. However stability alone cannot guarantee success Many schools of thought believe that even with stability leadership team can be unified and still be ineffective. This is why the real magic of the NDDC’s transformation lies in the synergy of all these factors:The vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, which set a clear developmental performance index, the diligence and supervisory role played by Minister Abubakar Momoh in ensuring accountability.
The collaboration and alignment between the board, led by Chiedu Ebie, and management, under Samuel Ogbuku, eliminating unnecessary conflicts. The performance bond, which ensures that all players are held accountable for deliverables.The commitment to transitioning from small projects to mega infrastructural developments that have direct socio-economic impacts. NDDC AND FUNDING With the giant Strides of the new board of NDDC never say good critics are asking, where NDDC is getting the money for these magnificent projects.Again answer is simple and not far fetched.The legendary musician Late Bob Market in one of his sons said, where there is will, there will always be a way.
Succinctly put in other words : when there is vision, direction, commitment, supervision, peace, and stability, resources flow efficiently. Unlike in the past when corruption and mismanagement drained the agency’s funds, the renewed synergy and accountability measures have ensured that money is channeled towards actual development projects. The days of reckless expenditure and abandoned projects are being replaced by a results-oriented approach that prioritizes the completion of meaningful infrastructure across the Niger Delta. This explains why, today, the NDDC is not only commissioning projects but doing so at an unprecedented scale. By aligning itself with the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring top-level accountability, and eliminating internal conflicts, the agency has successfully created an environment where financial resources are utilized effectively for the benefit of the Niger Delta people.
It is not yet Uhuru but one can without doubt pontificate that the turnaround of the NDDC is a testament to what can be achieved when leadership, commitment, and strategic planning come together. The transformation we are witnessing today is not by magic but by the deliberate actions of a focused leadership team, working in harmony to achieve a common goal—the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
