The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has declared that the Commission's proposed N1.75 trillion budget for 2025 must lead to visible and meaningful development for the people of the oil-rich region.
Lawmakers Demand Accountability and Tangible Results
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, issued this strong directive on Tuesday during the NDDC's budget defence session at the National Assembly in Abuja. She emphasised that the parliament would not treat the massive budgetary proposal as a mere routine exercise.
Ibori-Suenu stated that the budget symbolizes renewed hope and a critical opportunity for millions of residents in the Niger Delta. She insisted it must be transparent, focused on the people, and strictly in line 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 said. "Every line item must be purposeful. This Committee will insist on accountability, transparency, and value for money."
Focus on Infrastructure, Empowerment, and Inclusion
The Committee Chair warned that the House would subject the 2025 spending plan to intense scrutiny. The goal is to ensure it delivers measurable outcomes in key areas crucial to the region's progress.
These priority areas include:
- Infrastructure development
- Human capacity building
- Youth empowerment programs
- Economic inclusion initiatives
While acknowledging the Commission's ongoing reforms, Ibori-Suenu made it clear that 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 oversight to guarantee effective implementation.
NDDC Presents "Budget of Consolidation" with New Strategy
Earlier at the session, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the Commission's N1.75 trillion 2025 budget proposal, which he themed "Budget of Consolidation."
Ogbuku described the proposal as a strategic shift from transactional governance to a transformational, results-oriented approach. He explained that the budget reflects the reform agenda of the current NDDC management and aligns with the federal government's Renewed Hope Agenda.
A significant highlight is the Commission's adoption of a no-borrowing strategy, which led to a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget. The breakdown of the proposal shows:
- Personnel Costs: N47.5 billion
- Overheads: N96.4 billion
- Capital Expenditure: Remains the core focus
In a move aimed at boosting efficiency and reducing project delays, Ogbuku disclosed that the NDDC has abandoned traditional line-item budgeting. It has now adopted sectoral allocations for its projects and programs.
Reviewing the Commission's 2024 performance, the Managing Director reported that the NDDC exceeded its revenue projections. It recorded an actual revenue of N1.945 trillion against a projected N1.911 trillion.
The session concluded with mutual assurances from both the lawmakers and the NDDC management to strengthen collaboration. The shared goal is to deliver sustainable development and inclusive growth across all states in the Niger Delta region.
