The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, led by Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has constituted a Project Verification and Payment Committee.

This followed one of the resolutions reached at the 9th meeting of the 7th Governing Board of the Commission held on December 8, 2025.

The Board approved the constitution of a Project Verification Committee by Management to verify all infrastructure, electrification, desilting, environmental, and water projects for the purpose of capturing them in the Commission’s Directorate of Finance and Accounts’ Digitised platform for payment purposes.

The setting up of the Committee was sequel to the Federal Government’s directive that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government digitalise their operations and go paperless by December 31, 2025.

It was therefore imperative for the NDDC Management to conduct a comprehensive verification of all completed projects to capture the necessary information in the Commission’s Directorate of Finance and Accounts’ electronic database for payment purposes.

The Project Verification and Payment Committee would undertake a comprehensive verification of all completed projects in the region from inception to January 2023, to capture them in the Digitised database of the Directorate of Finance and Accounts for E-payments.

The projects to be verified include infrastructural, electrification, environmental, desilting, and water supply projects.

Members of the Committee are as follows: the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, Chairman; the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, member; the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka, Secretary; the Director of Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Gbenga Omowanle, member; Director Finance and Accounts, Mrs Kunemofa Asu, member; and the Director Internal Audit, Mr. Lucky Ogbuji, member.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has restated its commitment to work closely with the apex socio-cultural and political body of the Niger Delta region, the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the umbrella organisation of Niger Delta people at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, the Commission’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, stressed the importance of partnership.

In a statement by NDDCs Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Mr Iyaye assured the delegation, led by the PANDEF National Treasurer, Mrs Ifeoma Agboma, that the NDDC would continue to collaborate with it, reiterating the group’s role as the voice of the Niger Delta people in the civic space.

He noted that 2025 was a remarkable year for the NDDC, as it marked its 25th anniversary, with series of activities, including the commissioning of completed projects.

The NDDC Executive Director Finance and Administration noted that the Commission was determined to complete its legacy projects, in line with the directive of President Bola Tinubu.

He commended the National Chairman of PANDEF, Ambassador Godknows Igali for always working in the interest of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking earlier, the National Secretary of PANDEF, Mrs. Ifeoma Agboma, lauded the NDDC Management, led by its Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, for initiating projects and programmes that have impacted the people positively.

She emphasised the need to engage in activities that would keep the people of the Niger Delta region together as such solidarity had been beneficial to every one in the region. Agboma stressed that unity was critical to the development of the region.

January 8, 2026.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has assured residents of Ibifaka Polo community in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, of the imminent payment of compensation to those whose properties are on the right-of-way for the Borikiri-Okrika Bridge Project.

The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye made this known in the community during the inspection of the Borikiri alignment of the road and bridge project.

He noted: “As a delegation from the NDDC, we have come to properly inspect the ongoing Borikiri-Okrika Road and bridges. This project has suffered delays because of frequent changes in administration and funding challenges.

Iyaye said: “Although this project was awarded in 2012, it has faced delays for various reasons. Upon the inauguration of the current NDDC Board, we prioritised completing this significant project, viewing it as a legacy project.

“By the grace of God and the goodwill of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, our administration was inaugurated, and this is one of the legacy projects we identified to be completed. Last year, we engaged the contractors who moved to the site almost immediately.”

The Borikiri-Okrika Bridge, which would link Port Harcourt and Okrika Local Government Areas in Rivers State, consists of three bridges: the Kolabi Bridge (180m) at the Etche Waterfront, the Abotoru Bridge (1120m), which is midway, and the Okpoka Bridge (490m).

The NDDC Executive Director further noted that although the Okrika alignment has made considerable progress, the Borikiri end was delayed.

He stated: “The Borikiri alignment has not made substantial progress. That is why we are here. We have interfaced with the consultant and the contractors, who have identified the paramount issue of compensation. This issue will be addressed and treated with immediate effect. Inspections have been done. Be rest assured that work will start from this end once all modalities are in place.”

Earlier in a courtesy visit at the palace of the Amayanabo of Ancient Borikiri Kingdom, King Berechiri Wilfred Yemaiyaye, thanked the Board and Management of the NDDC for the welcome development to his kingdom. “We thank the NDDC for remembering us, and we hope that more development efforts will accompany this.”

The Project Consultant, Engr. Azu Chukwuma noted that the project had received optimum support and acceptance from the community, “This will bring the desired development these communities require,” he stated.

In his own remarks, the Youth President of Ibifaka Polo, Mr. Precious Tobin George, thanked the NDDC for this long-awaited development. “We are certain that once this project is completed, it will attract socio-economic development to our community,” he stated.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed sadness over the demise of Senator John Kojo Brambaifa.

The former Bayelsa West Senatorial District representative in the 5th National Assembly between 2003 and 2007 died on Saturday in a hospital in Abuja at the age of 81.

Governor Diri, in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, described Senator Brambaifa, who was popularly known as JKB, as an illustrious son of the state.

The Bayelsa helmsman stated that the late Brambaifa was an astute politician, who distinguished himself in public service.

“Bayelsa and Nigeria have lost an elder statesman, amiable gentleman, astute politician and a great community leader.

“Brambaifa left a legacy of unblemished and committed service to Nigeria, the old Rivers State, Bayelsa and indeed his community.

“On behalf of the Government of Bayelsa State, I extend sincere condolences to the Brambaifa family and the Agbere community in Sagbama Local Government Area, where he hailed from.”

The governor urged his family and community to be comforted by Brambaifa’s meritorious service and remarkable public and political career.

Until his death, Senator Brambaifa was the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Counci of the fledgling Federal University of Agriculture in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area of the state.

He was also a past chairman of Sagbama Local Government Council in the old Rivers State as well as a former chairman of the Bayelsa State Board of Internal Revenue

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has stated its commitment to completing the sand-filling and reclamation project in Okochiri, Okrika Local Government Area, and the 4.5-kilometre Nonwa-Uedeme-Ogu Road linking Tai and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas of Rivers State.

Speaking during an inspection of the projects, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, reiterated the Commission’s resolve to ensure that all ongoing projects across the region were completed and inaugurated for the benefit of the people.
Iyaye expressed satisfaction with the progress of work at the Okochiri reclamation project and noted that it would help the community gain more land for economic activities.

He said: “We are here in Okochiri to monitor and appraise the performance of the contractor working for us. We felt the need to assess the project’s progress to ensure timely completion.

Iyaye said the reclamation project was significant to the Okochiri people because it had increased their land space, noting that it had helped to boost the Okochiri International Beach Festival and Carnival, which, according to him, “promotes peace amongst the people.”

Earlier, during a courtesy visit to the Amayanabo of Okochiri, King Ateke Tom, at his palace, the NDDC Executive Director remarked that the Commission had tremendous respect for the traditional institution.

He informed the monarch that he was in Okochiri to inspect the Commission’s ongoing projects in the area and ensure they were completed on schedule.
Iyaye Said: “For us to succeed, we believe that we need the cooperation of everybody. We need the cooperation of the traditional institutions, the state governments and the youth.

Responding, King Ateke Tom commended the NDDC for executing impactful projects in his domain, especially for the sand-filling and reclamation project. He observed that the projects would enhance the economic development of the Okochiri kingdom.

Briefing the NDDC Executive Director on the project, the contractor, Dr Jude Moroh, commended the Commission for undertaking the project, noting that the area, which had previously been a mangrove swamp, had been sand-filled.

Also speaking at the reclamation site, the Secretary of Ijaw Youth Council, Eastern Zone, Mr Tamunokuro Dango, said the Okochiri people were happy with the progress of work at the beachfront.

He noted: “We are delighted because this project has enhanced our economic and social activities, improving the lives of our people.”

Inspecting the Nonwa-Uedeme-Ogu Road, Alabo Boma Iyaye assured that the NDDC, under the leadership of the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, was actively working to implement the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He stated that, as an intervention agency, the NDDC would endeavour to leave its footprints in communities within the NDDC mandate states, working in collaboration with the state governments.

The contractor for the road project, Hon. Deinma Iyalla, affirmed that the NDDC had transformed the area by linking various communities through good roads.

He assured that the first phase of the project would be completed by the end of January.

The NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, also inspected ongoing work on the 1,500-seater Ogu Civic Centre and the Ogu Community Pavilion in Ogu-Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has presented a budget estimate of N1.75 trillion for the 2025 fiscal year to the Senate Committee on NDDC, chaired by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, and the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, chaired by Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake.

Presenting the budget proposals at the National Assembly complex, Abuja, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, said the 2025 Budget, with the theme “Budget of Consolidation,” builds on the gains of the 2024 Budget of Renewed Hope and reflects the Commission’s deliberate shift from transactional to transformational development, in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ogbuku expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in the current NDDC Management, as well as the Supervising Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, for his strategic guidance. He also commended the leadership and members of the 10th National Assembly, particularly the Senate and House Committees on NDDC, for their constructive oversight and partnership.

He noted that the growing credibility and improved public perception of the Commission were the result of synergy among the NDDC Board and Management, the Ministry of Regional Development, and the National Assembly, stressing that legislative oversight remained a partnership anchored in accountability, transparency, and measurable impact.

Ogbuku noted the 2025 estimate represented a nine per cent reduction from the N1.985 trillion proposed and appropriated for the 2024 fiscal year.

He told the Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong-led committee that the proposed N1.75 trillion budget was expected to be funded from multiple sources, including N776.5 billion from the Federal Government; N752.8 billion from oil companies; N109.4 billion in revenue brought forward from 2024; N53.67 billion in recoveries from federal government agencies; and N8.35 billion in internally generated revenue.

A breakdown of the proposal showed that N1.631 trillion was earmarked for project execution across the Niger Delta region, while N223 billion was allocated to internal projects.

Personnel cost was put at N47.56 billion, with N49.929 billion set aside for overhead expenditure.

On the performance of the 2024 budget, Ogbuku informed the committee that as of October 31, 2025, the commission’s actual revenue stood at N1.985 trillion, exceeding the initial target of N1.911 trillion.

He attributed the improved revenue performance largely to the extension of the 2024 budget implementation to December 31, 2025.

The Managing Director also disclosed that the Commission had abandoned line-item budgeting in favour of sectoral allocations, a move aimed at reducing project delays and improving efficiency.

Following the presentation, the committee held a closed-door session with the NDDC management to review both the budget proposal and the status of ongoing and completed projects across the Niger Delta.

Briefing journalists after the session, Chairman of the committee, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the Senate Committee would embark on an extensive oversight tour of NDDC projects in the nine Niger Delta states in January 2026.

According to him, the committee critically examined reports on ongoing and completed projects during the closed session and resolved to verify claims through physical inspection.

“At the closed-door session, critical looks were taken at ongoing and completed projects by the commission, and the committee resolved to carry out an extensive oversight tour across the nine Niger Delta states in January next year,” Ekpenyong said.

He added that while NDDC recorded significant project delivery in the outgoing fiscal year, expectations remained high for improved performance in the coming year, particularly in ensuring value for money and timely completion of projects.

Similarly, the House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC stated that the Commission’s proposed N1.75 trillion 2025 budget must translate into tangible development outcomes for communities across the Niger Delta.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, gave the assurance during the NDDC’s budget defence session, warning that lawmakers would not treat the proposal as a routine legislative exercise.

According to her, the budget represents renewed hope and opportunity for millions of people in the oil-producing region. “It must, therefore, be people-centred, transparent, and strictly aligned with national development priorities.

While commending the Commission’s ongoing reform efforts, the Committee Chair noted that legislative support would be tied strictly to performance and verifiable results on the ground.