Bayelsa Governor Urges Stronger NDDC Partnership for Niger Delta Growth

Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has issued a call to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to strengthen collaboration with state governments in the region to ensure impactful and streamlined development efforts.

During a recent courtesy visit from NDDC officials, led by Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Diri emphasized that aligning the commission’s projects with state government priorities would foster a coordinated approach to regional development.

Diri acknowledged the NDDC’s renewed commitment to growth in the Niger Delta but highlighted past challenges, noting that projects often proceeded with limited consultation from state authorities. “Effective development needs respect and collaboration between the commission and state governments,” Diri urged, pointing to ongoing issues with project duplication and incomplete initiatives across Bayelsa.

Dr. Ogbuku responded with assurances of a new, cooperative direction for the NDDC, recognizing that duplicative projects have hindered progress in the past. He emphasized that future initiatives will now be guided by comprehensive needs assessments, closely coordinated with state governments.

Ogbuku outlined recent NDDC-led efforts, including constructing multi-purpose emergency shelters designed to support Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by frequent floods, as well as ongoing plans to channel Kolo Creek, a critical waterway linking communities in Rivers and Bayelsa States, to mitigate flood risks.

The governor’s call for unity comes at a time when the Niger Delta region faces intensifying challenges, from inadequate infrastructure to persistent flooding, which impacts lives and livelihoods across the area. “No one can work in isolation,” Diri remarked.

The meeting concluded on a hopeful note, with both leaders pledging to prioritize community needs and foster a collaborative relationship. With this strengthened alliance, residents of Bayelsa and the broader Niger Delta region may finally see more effective governance and tangible improvements in their communities.