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NDDC’s Revival: Corporate Hqr As Metaphor

Published

6 years ago

September 13, 2019

If things work as planned, the Eastern Bye-Pass in Port Harcourt with the envisaged completion of construction work on the long abandoned corporate headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) which is located along the road will host the commission’s operational base. Following a marching order handed down to the new management by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, in respect of the shame of the abandonment of the13 storey-edifice, on which work was abandoned almost two decades ago, all actors in the exercise are recommitting themselves to see to its actualisation. The Minister had in a meeting with the management in his office in Abuja lamented over the shameful state of the structure, which successive managements had abandoned and resorted to renting the present corporate headquarters
In response to his charge, the relevant actors have all made public statements in respect of completing all work on the project within a new schedule. For instance, the Acting Managing Director even offered to actually move her office to the uncompleted building and supervise its completion directly, as a sign of total commitment to the pledge. Likewise, the various contractors on the project have also made public pledges on their commitment to follow through with the completion of the project on schedule. All that seems left now is to see them convert their pledges to articles of faith through delivering of the project on schedule – ostensibly next year 2020.
However, with the NDDC, many persons who had dealings with the interventionist agency readily aver that there could always be a difference between its schedule on delivery of projects and the actualisation of same. Its officials blame this situation on the haphazard manner in which its finances are mustered including the ever worrisome instances of under remittance of monies due it by designated contributors to its purse. These debtors are in the main the Federal Government as well as oil and gas companies, who are statute bound to contribute to the commission’s purse. But routinely fail to do so. In that vein, therefore, the pledges over the completion of the NDDC corporate headquarters may be determined more by the actual availability of funds – a situation that throws the liability ball back to the Minister, Godswill Akpabio. It is for good measure that he also acknowledged the debts of over N2 trillion owed the commission during his meeting with them.
However, beyond the issue of finance, the more profound feature of NDDC operations which many believe is the primary causative factor determining its chronic infidelity with project delivery is the complement of its in-house management expedients. Historically, even if the commission may not have received its full tranche of funds at any particular time, what it did with the delivered portion leaves much to be desired. As far as the public image of the commission is concerned, it is yet to earn a pass mark, as it hardly registers the completion of critical infrastructure within budget and time frame, across its intervention area, the Niger Delta region. This makes it more like a sink hole in urgent need for redemption. If the situation was otherwise, it could not have unwisely abandoned its 80% completed corporate headquarters for close to two decades Talk of the NDDC being so altruistic to love others more than itself!
With the marching order from Akpabio, the NDDC needs to predispose itself for a revival of its operational circumstances, pursuant to charting a fresh agenda for executing its statutory mandate. In this context, it may be superfluous to state that its handling of the completion of the corporate headquarters will serve as a metaphor that captures a new corporate, service delivery ethic. While it is not suggested that the commission should deploy all available resources to complete the edifice, the urgency of its completion is defined by several factors.
Firstly, according to the contractors, virtually all the technical accessories for its completion such as lifts and other mechanical equipment, electrical and plumbing fittings are in place, with their final installation only awaiting the ratification of outstanding contractual terms. Secondly, the Minister’s query over the renting of the present office for the whole 19 years of the commission’s existence when it had such an edifice awaiting the executive will to complete it needs to be heeded. It will be interesting if the NDDC can celebrate the twentieth anniversary of its creation which is due next year, in its new corporate headquarters building.
More significant for the circumstances of corporate social responsibility, it will be to the eternal credit of the NDDC to gear its eventual relocation to its then completed corporate headquarters along the Eastern Bye Pass to serve as a catalyst for the takeover of the entire area including the very important adjoining Marine Base. As one of the young engineering students who were privileged to participate in the construction by the Rivers State Ministry of Works of the Eastern Bye Pass during a vacation job stint in the 1970’s, the road has always attracted deep nostalgia for this author. The prospects of the magnificent edifice, now standing as the uncompleted corporate headquarters of the NDDC, becoming completed and fully operational will not only serve to accentuate the turn-around mindset of the commission’s leadership. It will be a personal dream, fulfilled for someone.

Monima Daminabo

Featured

Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

4 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.