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NDDC Begins Work On PH-Okrika Link Road ……Says Wike’s Comments, Push For Positive Change
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has assured that construction work would resume next week on the 3.65kilometre Borokiri-Okrika road to link the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt to Okrika communities and others in Eleme, Tai, Gokana, Khana, Andoni, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Areas in the eastern flank of the state.
Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who disclosed this at the NDDC Headquarters during his first official media chat in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, said that the new interventionist agency’s leadership was looking at legacy projects to quickly complete and commission.
Ogbuku was flanked by the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Major-General Charles Airhiavbere, (rtd), and other Directors, during the interactive media briefing.
The managing director said, “One of these projects is the construction of the 3.65-kilometre Okrika-Borokiri Road with three bridges connecting Kolabi, Abotoru and Okpoka creeks to Port Harcourt,” adding that the link road was a very significant project for the people of the state.
He explained that talks between the NDDC and contractors for the project have been very fruitful, and assured that construction work would resume within a week.
The chief executive officer of the commission remarked: “The contractor has assured us that by next week, they will mobilise to site. They also assured us that the project will be completed in two years. We do not want to spread ourselves thin. We do not want to take on too many projects that we cannot complete in good time.”
Ogbuku also noted that due to the long delay in execution and completion of the project, there may be the urgency to review the value upward from the initial sum of N16.5billion cost as at the time of signing the contract several years ago to reflect present economic realities.
He noted that another big ticket project under the Converting Liabilities To Assets Initiative would be the construction of dams to check perennial flooding in Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta states as a pilot scheme.
Ogbuku emphasised that apart from harnessing the abundant water bodies causing havoc and destroying livelihoods in communities in the Niger Delta, the dams would also generate electricity for the affected states, leveraging on the Federal Government’s liberalisation policy in the power sector.
The NDDC, he added, was also concluding designs for emergency holding centres to provide comfortable shelter to thousands of vulnerable internally displaced persons (IDPs) by persistent flooding in communities in the affected states, stressing that the centres would be equipped with schools, water, sanitation and health facilities to cater to the urgent needs of victims of natural disasters.
He further stated that future relief materials for victims of flooding and other natural disasters, who take refuge at the emergency holding centres, would be presented to the beneficiaries directly at the facilities rather than going through governments and emergency relief agencies as a means of reducing bureaucracy while achieving quick impact.
Ogbuku assured the readiness of NDDC under his watch to work in synergy with the nine state governments to achieve integrated sustainable development of the region, saying that the commission was already working with representatives of all the cat mentioned state governments in its budgeting process to avoid duplication of projects and responsibilities while harnessing scarce resources for the benefit of the people.
On the way forward, he stated that establishing an effective and sustainable Corporate Governance system as well as Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) in the commission will be a game changer for the commission.
He noted that having an effective Corporate Governance system in place was key to the future successes and sustainability of the NDDC.
The chief executive officer affirmed that the commission was laying a solid foundation for impactful development of the Niger Delta region; strengthening Public-Private Partnerships and ensuring that its projects and programmes were aligned with the needs and aspirations of the people of the region.
He said: “In the past six months, NDDC has been engaged in building a sustainable foundation to ensure that we run on a smooth and right track. We are working to put in place a Corporate Governance System that will enable the commission run in accordance with global best practices.”
The NDDC boss declared: “Once there is Corporate Governance system, you cannot beat it. That means you must be subjected to the processes and procedures. That is the game changer for us. We want to regulate ourselves internally. That is why we must establish a Corporate Governance system.
“Whenever we go out seeking for partnerships, one thing these prospective partners and donor agencies look out for is our internal control system. We are willing to be internally regulated. So, we need to establish a Corporate Governance system. We are talking with KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to help us establish a sustainable Corporate Governance system.”
On the state of the commission, he said that on assumption of duties, the current Executive Management realised that the commission was working with many Directorates with overlapping functions.
Many of the Directorates, he said, were not created to enhance service delivery of the commission but were set up for some ethnic and political interests.
Ogbuku noted: “I met about 30 Directorates as against the 13 provided for in the Act establishing the NDDC. Today, merit is our watchword and the over 30 Directorates have been reduced to the 13 Directorates stated in the NDDC Act.”
He noted the Policy Dialogue opportunity held in Abuja recently, adding that learnings from the forum would help the management fashion strategic policies and take decisions which results would make a difference in the lives of the people.
The MD also noted some new initiatives such as project HOPE designed to drive programmes and engagements to develop database for capacity building and empowerment of youths and women through technical and vocational training in various skills, and Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce to mobilise and support small and medium entrepreneurs to grow the economy of the region.
Ogbuku urged youths of the region to guard against scammers and register for project HOPE free of charge through the dedicated portal, while advising potential entrepreneurs to join the chamber and take advantage of the window to boost their businesses and grow the economy of the region.
While responding to questions, he said that the recent comments on the commission’s activities by former Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, serves as a push for positive change in driving the development process in the Niger Delta region.
He commended the former governor for the milestones he achieved in urban centre modernization, stating that his remarks about the NDDC will spur the commission to positively change the narrative about the interventionist agency.
Ogbuku stated: “We will not join issues with former Governor Nyesom Wike. He has done well for the people of Rivers State, especially in the area of urban modernisation. Rather, we are spurred by his comments to change the narrative about the NDDC positively.”
By: Nelson Chukwudi
Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) of his administration’s commitment to supporting and strengthening the scheme in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance last Friday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area in the State, during the swearing-in ceremony of 2026 Batch B Stream II orientation course.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Promise Oguzie, the governor said the State Government would remain intentional in providing the necessary support to improve the NYSC scheme and enhance the experiences of corps members deployed to the state.
He charged the corps members to be role models and quality nation-builders in their service to the good people of Rivers State in particular, and Nigeria at large.
“I charge you to be exemplary, dedicated and committed in all you do. Take full advantage of all the camp programmes and activities to enrich yourselves”, he said.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of NYSC in Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe, urged corps members to see their deployment to Rivers State as a “veritable opportunity to make meaningful contribution to the growth of the State in particular and Nigeria at large.”
He further charged them to serve with all sense of “integrity, discipline, and the fear of God, especially when they will be engaged as INEC ad-hoc staff that will conduct the 2027 general elections.”
A total of 3,584 corps members composed of 1,421 males and 2,163 females were sworn in by the Chief Judge of Rivers State, who was represented by Justice Godspower Aguma.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says Nigeria needs God-fearing leaders for the nation to move in the right direction and make meaningful progress.
The Governor stated this yesterday when he received in audience, the World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler; his wife, Andriene Marques Kohler; daughter Mariana Marques Kohler and a retinue of ministers of the church at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Fubara who hailed the Seventh Day Adventist Church for its contributions to education and the grooming of future leaders in Nigeria, expressed delight that the Church had over the years, been investing in education at various levels and currently runs two universities in the country.
He commended the church for not only using its institutions to spread the gospel of Christianity but to groom future leaders for the country.
According to him, religion should not be just about defending one’s faith, but also making meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
He said that by floating these educational institutions, the church has demonstrated capacity to support Nigeria in the task of producing not only educated people but a breed of God-fearing leaders.
“Our country is where it is today because we lack the fear of God. If you have the fear of God, there should be a limit to what you can do because you understand the supremacy of God. But when God is not in your equation, you’ll go beyond the line and that is what has brought us to where we are today.
“So, I feel very happy that you are contributing to the development of our future leaders in this country. We need the right people being in the right place; prepared properly with good minds; that is what we need, not just in Nigeria but round the whole world.,” he said.
Governor Fubara further observed that the absence of God-fearing people in high places to take the right decisions that could impact positively on the society, has also given rise to other problems such as social inequality, poverty, corruption and criminality. According to him, Nigeria needs a system where the average parent could afford quality education for their children and a guarantee that upon graduation, the average child will have the capacity to compete favourably with anybody, anywhere in the world.
“If we have a situation where the little money that you’re being paid as wage can also afford you quality healthcare and after working at least for 15-20 years, you have a roof over your head, tell me why you should be involved in any kind of crime? At that point, you’ll feel secured and this attitude of insecurity about the future that leads to all the social vices we have today won’t be there,” he said.
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation to the delegation for the visit and for their prayers for Rivers State, assuring them of his continued support for their programmes in the state.
Leader of the delegation and World President of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, Pastor Erton Kohler said he was in Nigeria for a special conference of the church during which thousands of the church’s ministers will be undergoing an empowerment programme to further equip them for the task of herding their flocks and serving the society.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the warm reception accorded his entourage, saying the memory of the visit will linger in his mind for a lifetime.
Kohler disclosed that the Church has over twenty -four million (24,000,000) members and more than 182,000 places of worship, spread across 212 countries of the world.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has approved the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
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