NDDC highlights 25 years of achievements amid criticism, pledges renewed focus on legacy projects

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has asserted that, despite enduring criticism over its performance, it has made meaningful progress in the areas of health, education, and infrastructure across the Niger Delta region over the past 25 years.

Speaking in an interview with DAILY POST on Monday, July 7, as the commission marked its 25th anniversary, NDDC’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye—who also chairs the commission’s anniversary planning committee—acknowledged that challenges such as infrastructure deficits and inadequate funding continue to impede the agency’s full impact. However, he maintained that significant accomplishments have been made since the agency was established in 2000 to drive sustainable development in the region.

“I will say that there has been a lot of progress since the creation of the NDDC as an interventionist agency in the Niger Delta,” Iyaye said. “Yes, I agree that there are a lot of challenges… but also, if you look at the achievements in these 25 years, you’ll see that they’ve done a lot.”

He cited ongoing annual medical outreaches and infrastructure developments as tangible examples of the commission’s contributions. While admitting that not all goals have been achieved, Iyaye expressed optimism that, with the continued support of President Bola Tinubu, the NDDC will be better positioned to fulfill its mandate.

“Based on the challenges and lack of adequate funding, some of the things we’ve not been able to achieve,” he said. “But I know surely that… with the current President… they’ll achieve a lot more.”

Responding to critics who claim the agency has made little to no impact, Iyaye said the 25th anniversary provides the NDDC an opportunity to counter negative perceptions and share its own narrative.

“A lot of times they allow others to tell your stories,” he said. “And when others tell your stories, they push the negative narrative… So, NDDC this time is saying no, we will not wait… We’ll tell our story and we’ll tell the positive aspects of our story.”

Looking ahead, Iyaye expressed hope that in the next 25 years, basic infrastructure such as potable water and electricity will no longer be lacking in the Niger Delta.

Addressing concerns over the commission’s continued rollout of new projects despite a backlog of unfinished ones, he stressed that NDDC is now focused on completing long-abandoned projects, in line with a directive from President Tinubu.

“Mr. President gave us a direct instruction to reduce new projects and make sure that we concentrate on the abandoned projects. That’s what we’re doing,” Iyaye said.

He highlighted two ongoing legacy projects in Rivers State—the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Gokana to Andoni Local Government Area, and the Okrika-Borokiri Bridge—both of which had been stalled for over a decade. “These are old projects… but we’re completing them because that’s the instruction from Mr. President,” he added.