Upper chamber gives nod to N1.7 trillion appropriation bill for NDDC in 2025

The Senate has given its approval for the 2025 Statutory Budget of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, with a total expenditure of N1,750,923,400,137.15.

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The breakdown of the budget reveals that Personnel Expenditure accounts for N47,567,421,121, while Overhead Expenditure is N49,929,253,117, Internal Capital Expenditure is N22,357,552,302, and Development Projects make up N1,631,069,173,597.

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The approval was granted on Wednesday, following the presentation and consideration of the report of the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, led by Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo, APC, Cross River South.

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Senator Asuquo presented the report, stating that the Senate should receive and consider the report of the Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission on the 2025 Statutory Budget Proposal of the Niger Delta Development Commission.

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The Committee's recommendations include a revenue profile for the Commission in 2025, consisting of Revenue Brought Forward of N107,477,781.733, Federal Government Contribution of N626.533.344.370, and Federal Government Contribution, including unpaid and uncollectible amounts, of N53,679,481.050.

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Other sources of revenue include oil companies' contributions and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, totaling N902,873,830,884, Ecological Funds of N8,358,962,100, and Other Internally Realized Income.

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According to Senator Asuquo, the budget's developmental aspects cover areas such as Education, Health, Youth Empowerment, Energy and Power Supply, Industrial and Enterprise Development, Security, Sports, Infrastructure, Agriculture, and Fisheries.

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The Committee observed a significant rollover of the 2024 Budget, aiming to complete ongoing projects and ensure sustainable development, economic prosperity, and improved livelihoods for the people of the Region.

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The Committee noted that the proposed Federal Government contribution by the NDDC for 2025 exceeds the amount approved by the National Assembly in the Appropriations Act, 2025, and therefore adopted the lower figure of N626,533,344,370.

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The Committee also adopted the sum of N53,679,481,049.79, which was not initially considered due to lack of approval in the 2025 Appropriations Act, but was later included due to recoveries made by the Federal Government.

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The Commission's revenue from oil companies and others has increased, prompting an adjustment in the revenue projection for that sector, with the Committee adopting a figure of N902,873,830,884.

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The Committee approved the budget for Personnel Expenditure, Overhead Expenditure, Internal Capital, and Development Projects, with totals of N47,567,421,121, N49,929,253,117, N22,357,552,302, and N1,631,069,173,596, respectively.

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The difference of N149,999,990,000 between the proposed Federal Government contribution and the amount reflected in the Appropriations Act was distributed among the States, in line with the equality of States Sharing formula.

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The total NDDC Budget for 2025 is N1,750,923,400,137.15, and the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission resolved that the budget's lifespan is one fiscal year, set to elapse on 31st December, 2026.