Dr.-Samuel-Ogbuku’s-Visit-to-Cross-River-State-Reinforces-NDDC’s-Commitment-to-Collaborative-Development

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s Visit to Cross River State Reinforces NDDC’s Commitment to Collaborative Development

NIGER DELTA-PROGRESS-REPORTERS 

By Dave Ikiedei Asei

Dr Samuel Ogbuku Strengthening Regional Development Through Strategic Partnership

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, continued to demonstrate his dynamic and transformational leadership style during a strategic visit to the Cross River State Government House in Calabar. The visit marked a renewed synergy between NDDC and the state government, aimed at accelerating infrastructure development, enhancing social interventions, and promoting inclusive growth in the Niger Delta.

During the courtesy visit to Governor Bassey Otu at the Executive Council Chambers, both leaders reiterated their shared commitment to sustainable development driven by strategic collaboration. The discussions emphasized alignment of developmental priorities, revitalization of abandoned projects, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

Governor Otu Welcomes New Dawn of Cooperation

Governor Bassey Otu welcomed Dr. Ogbuku and his team with optimism, describing the visit as timely and essential. He emphasized Cross River’s readiness to embrace every developmental opportunity despite limited fiscal resources.

“Cross River is a state eager to develop, but often constrained by limited resources. We turn every available intervention, be it from the Federation Account or agencies like NDDC, into impact-driven projects that uplift our people,” he said.

Governor Otu praised the NDDC’s willingness to revive abandoned projects and urged for more inclusive planning. He made a passionate appeal for Cross River’s specific developmental needs to be reflected in the Commission’s project portfolio.

Revisiting Legacy Projects and Addressing Community Needs

The governor called attention to several stalled and neglected NDDC projects in the state, including the Adiabo-IkoNeto road and the Ikom Medical Centre. He expressed concern over the long-abandoned youth centre in Akpabuyo and sought NDDC's support in managing the humanitarian crisis posed by over 54,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) currently hosted in Cross River.

Governor Otu emphasized that past challenges with the NDDC were due to a breakdown in communication rather than conflict, noting, “Our approach is lawful, organized, and people-centered.”

He advocated for greater inclusion, stressing that although Cross River may not produce oil in large volumes, it remains an integral part of the Niger Delta region. “Exclusion should not be our reward for peace and cooperation,” he declared.

Dr. Samuel Ogbuku: Championing a New Era of Institutional Accountability

In his response, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku outlined a bold new vision for the NDDC—one rooted in institutional reform, project sustainability, and regional transformation. He noted that the Commission is transitioning from a history of transactional activities to an era of strategic and transformational impact.

“We are focused on building sustainable institutions and delivering legacy projects. Since assuming office, we have cleared all staff salary backlogs and initiated reforms in partnership with agencies like NLNG and NNPC,” Dr. Ogbuku said.

He emphasized the adoption of needs-assessment-driven projects to ensure that development interventions are relevant, impactful, and people-oriented. Highlighting Cross River’s importance in the region, he reaffirmed the Commission’s readiness to partner effectively with the state.

Innovative Partnerships for Sustainable Infrastructure

Dr. Ogbuku also spotlighted key collaborative efforts currently underway with public and private sector partners. He cited the partnership with the Nigerian Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) to enhance governance policies and the ongoing world-class hospital project in Ikom as examples of impactful and sustainable interventions.

Accompanied by Rt. Hon. Orok Duke, the Cross River State Representative on the NDDC Board, and other senior officials, Dr. Ogbuku commended Cross River’s cooperative disposition, affirming that the state stands to benefit significantly from NDDC’s redefined operational strategy.

An Invitation to Celebrate the Niger Delta Spirit

As part of his remarks, Dr. Ogbuku extended an official invitation to Governor Otu and the people of Cross River to attend the Commission’s 25th anniversary celebration scheduled for July 6–12, 2025, in Abuja. The celebration, which will culminate on July 12, promises to be a landmark event in the history of the Niger Delta.

“The silver jubilee is not just NDDC’s celebration; it is a moment to reflect on the shared journey of the Niger Delta. The ecological, environmental, and economic challenges that unite us should also unite our development efforts,” he said.

The anniversary celebration will feature a public lecture by Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the Special Guest of Honour and former President Goodluck Jonathan as Guest of Honour.

A Call to Action and Immediate Technical Collaboration

The visit concluded with a mutual agreement to initiate immediate technical collaboration. Governor Otu directed state officials to maintain close liaison with the NDDC’s Executive Director of Projects to identify and finalize priority areas for intervention.

This renewed engagement between NDDC and Cross River State underscores Dr. Ogbuku’s leadership style—visionary, inclusive, and results-driven. His proactive approach continues to reposition the Commission as a formidable force in driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through regional integration and grassroots-focused development.

Through this visit, Dr. Ogbuku has once again demonstrated that effective leadership is not merely about occupying a position but about delivering purpose-driven action that transforms lives and communities.