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NDDC Begins Work On PH-Okrika Link Road ……Says Wike’s Comments, Push For Positive Change

Published

3 years ago

July 21, 2023

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

Featured

Fubara Reads Riot Act To New SSG, CoS …Warns Against Unauthorized Meetings

Published

5 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.

The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.

Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.

As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.

Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.

He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.

Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.

“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.

“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.

Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.

He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.

Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.

“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.

“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.

The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.

While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.

The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.

The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.

He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.

Featured

Fubara Dissolves Rivers Executive Council

Published

3 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The governor announced the cabinet dissolution yesterday in a statement titled ‘Government Special Announcement’, signed by his new Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Governor Fubara directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

He thanked the outgoing members of the State Executive Council for their service and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

The three-paragraph special announcement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

“His Excellency, the Governor, has therefore directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”

Featured

INEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations

Published

3 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the National Assembly that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, even as it seeks N171bn to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the N873.78bn election budget covers the full conduct of national polls in 2027.

An additional N171bn is needed to support INEC’s routine activities in 2026, including bye-elections and off-season elections, the commission stated.

The INEC boss said the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps seeking increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.

He explained that, although the details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the almost N1tn election budget is structured across five major components.

“N379.75bn is for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chief noted that the budget was prepared “in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.”

On the 2026 fiscal year, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of N140bn, stressing, however, that “INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn.”

The breakdown includes N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.

Amupitan also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical glitches.

Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.

He advocated that the envelope budgeting model should be set aside.

He urged the National Assembly to work with INEC’s financial proposal to avoid future instances of possible underfunding.

In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable the Commission to plan early enough for the 2027 general election.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support, warning INEC to be careful about promises it might be unable to keep.

He recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.

“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.

The N873.78bn proposed by INEC for next year’s general election is a significant increase from the N313.4bn released to the Commission by the Federal Government for the conduct of the 2023 general election.