The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a firm warning that the commission's massive proposed budget for 2025 must lead to clear, tangible development for the people of the oil-rich region. The committee, led by its Chairman, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, delivered this message during a budget defence session at the National Assembly on Tuesday, December 31, 2024.
A Budget of Renewed Hope Must Deliver Results
Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, stated unequivocally that lawmakers would not treat the N1.75 trillion 2025 budget proposal as a mere routine exercise. She emphasized that the budget symbolizes renewed hope and a critical opportunity for millions in the Niger Delta and must, therefore, be transparent, people-centred, and strictly aligned with national development priorities under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
"The NDDC budget represents hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better quality of life for our people," Ibori-Suenu declared. "Every line item must be purposeful. This Committee will insist on accountability, transparency, and value for money." She pledged that the House would subject the financial plan to intense scrutiny to ensure it delivers measurable outcomes in infrastructure, human capacity building, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.
NDDC Management Presents "Budget of Consolidation"
Earlier at the session, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the commission's N1.75 trillion proposal, themed "Budget of Consolidation." He described it as a strategic shift from transactional governance to a transformational, results-driven approach.
Ogbuku explained that the budget reflects the current management's reform agenda and aligns with the federal government's Renewed Hope Agenda. Notably, he highlighted a no-borrowing strategy that resulted in a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget. The breakdown includes:
- Personnel Costs: N47.5 billion
- Overheads: N96.4 billion
- Capital Expenditure: The core focus of the proposal
The MD also disclosed a significant policy change: the abandonment of line-item budgeting in favour of sectoral allocations. This move is aimed at reducing project delays and improving overall efficiency. In a review of 2024, Ogbuku noted the NDDC exceeded its revenue projections, recording N1.945 trillion in actual revenue against a projected N1.911 trillion.
Legislative Oversight Tied to Performance
While commending the commission's reform efforts, Chairman Ibori-Suenu made it clear that future legislative support would be directly tied to verifiable performance and results on the ground. "The people of the Niger Delta deserve projects they can see, use, and benefit from," she asserted, promising sustained legislative oversight to ensure effective budget implementation.
The session concluded with mutual assurances from both the lawmakers and the NDDC management to strengthen collaboration. The shared goal is to drive sustainable development and inclusive growth across the nine states of the Niger Delta region, ensuring that the substantial financial allocation finally translates into visible progress for the communities that have long awaited it.
