Tinubu has given us more funds than previous governments, says NDDC MD

Samuel Ogbuku, managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the federal government under President Bola Tinubu has provided more funding to the commission than any previous administration.

Speaking on Monday during the commission’s 25th anniversary celebration in Asaba, Delta state, Ogbuku said the NDDC, under Tinubu, has brought new confidence to the people of the Niger Delta.

“I cannot sit down there and accuse the federal government of stifling us to fund. The federal government under this present administration, I can assure you, has funded NNDC more than any other government,” he said.

He described most of the commission’s achievements as “dividends of the Renewed Hope agenda” of the president.

Ogbuku said President Tinubu has shown strong interest in the commission’s affairs and should be commended for supporting its work.

“I think Mr. President deserves the applause and commendation from the people of the Niger Delta for being the first president that has really put his eyes on the ball to ensure that NDDC does the right thing,” he said.

“Apart from Mr. President, from the Niger Delta, we’re also lucky to have a minister who is also an engineer. Because he’s an engineer, he tries to ensure that our projects are of quality.

“The minister himself also takes it so personal on everything we do. Apart from the minister, we’re also fortunate to have the president of the Senate who is from the region who ensures that our appropriations are taken by express. So I think he has also done very well. He has been a father to us.

“We also have other stakeholders from the region who have also bothered themselves about what is happening in NDDC and ensuring that we do things the right way and ensure that we don’t make mistakes of the past. One of those stakeholders is the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, who was a governor as at when NDDC was created.”

Ogbuku named Nyesom Wike, minister of the FCT, as a role model, saying the commission tries to emulate his activities in Abuja and often benefits from his guidance and advice.

The MD commended the house and senate committee chairmen on NDDC matters, describing them as supportive and instrumental to the commission’s success, and acknowledged their importance as stakeholders in the development of the Niger Delta.