In Nigeria, NDDC unveils governance framework and Niger Delta development plan — Premium Times Nigeria

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, has unveiled a governance framework and a regional master plan intended to strengthen accountability and coordinate the region’s development. Premium Times Nigeria reports.

NDDC Managing Director Samuel Ogbuku announced the documents at the Partners for Sustainable Development 2026 conference in Port Harcourt. The event focused on aligning regional development, local governance and sustainable partnerships in the Niger Delta.

Operating rules and accountability

According to Ogbuku, the new framework is intended to address shortcomings in the commission’s administration and establish clear rules for its operations, distribution of powers, procedures and institutional responsibility. He said the document was developed by KPMG on the instruction of Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to strengthen governance, transparency and operational discipline at the NDDC.

More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.

The framework provides for standard operating procedures under which the actions of the commission’s board, management and employees will be assessed. The document was handed over to stakeholders in the Niger Delta for proposals and amendments. Ogbuku noted that residents of the region will be able to monitor the commission’s work based on provisions that will be jointly agreed and formally approved.

A joint plan for the region

Separately, the NDDC presented a regional master plan for discussion and adoption. Ogbuku described it as a joint development agenda for the entire Niger Delta, rather than merely a plan of the commission. According to him, the document is intended to help resolve disagreements between the NDDC and state governments by setting common priorities for coordinated infrastructure projects.

Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh said the federal government had supported road, power and water projects in the region over the past two years. Among them, he named the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State, which was named the President Bola Tinubu Bridge. Chair of the Senate Committee on NDDC Asuquo Ekpenyong called on the region to move from resource extraction to production, processing and value creation.