Inadequate dedication is hindering Niger Delta development, says NDDC Managing Director

The Niger Delta Development Commission's Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, has emphasized that the region's development is hindered by a lack of commitment, rather than a shortage of capital or manpower, pointing to the abundance of resources and capable individuals in the area.

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Ogbuku made this assertion in Port Harcourt at the Niger Delta Business Roundtable, organized by the Niger Delta Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Trade and Agriculture, which was themed "Creating a New Development Agenda for the Niger Delta Region".

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According to Ogbuku, the region boasts thriving industries, including oil and gas, as well as banking, and is home to numerous capable individuals, yet still struggles to achieve its developmental goals due to a lack of commitment.

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He stated, "Our people are thriving in oil and gas, banking and other sectors, we do not lack capital or capable individuals; what we lack is the commitment to develop our region," highlighting the need for collective effort to drive development in the region.

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Ogbuku urged the people of the region to prioritize patriotism, investing in the region to create employment opportunities and transform its fortunes, saying "If we don’t invest in this region, outsiders will not invest, if we invest, we create employment opportunities for our people, let all of us be patriotic to this region".

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The NDDC MD expressed optimism that the business roundtable would provide a platform for leaders to translate practical ideas into actionable strategies, driving development in the region.

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Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Board, Idare Gogo-Ogan, noted that despite being a major political discourse, the region has remained economically insufficient, with its nine states accounting for about one-fifth of Nigeria’s economy.

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Gogo-Ogan emphasized the region's critical role in the country's external earnings, gas reserves, maritime access, and environmental sustainability, yet lamented that these endowments have not yielded the desired development outcomes.

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He stressed the need for the region to differentiate between near-term bankable projects, medium-term strategic platforms, and long-term transformational ambitions, prioritizing security, power, logistics, and project preparation as the foundation of the regional economy.