Buhari Thumbs Down NDDC, MNDA Over Niger Delta Development

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed concern that the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC as well as the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs have not done enough for the development of the Niger Delta region.

Buhari spoke through Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday during a courtesy call on the Ebenanaowei (King) of Ogulagha Kingdom, HRM, Captain Joseph Timiyan I, at Obotobo in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to him, there are still alot to be done in the region despite the huge allocations to NDDC and Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs saddled with responsibility of developing the oil rich region.

Osinbajo said despite the resources, there were no physical development commensurate with what both interventionist agencies have gotten over the years for the development of the area.

“The NDDC in many respect has not met the expectations of the oil-producing states; a lot of money is invested in NDDC and the Ministry of the Niger Delta because the real reason they were created is to speed up the development of oil-rich communities.

“We will sit with the Delta State Governor to look at specific areas to develop in the creeks”, Osinbajo said.

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He however said that the Buhari administration would do more to change the situation in his second term, saying that the federal government would work in tandem with the state government to determine areas in critical need of development, so as to fast-track development in the oil-rich region.

Osinbajo was led to the palace by the governor of Delta State, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa to perform the commissioning of a 20.29 KM  Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom, Burutu council area and the Main Axial Road in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area.

Our correspondent gathered that the 20.29 KM  Obotobo 1- Obotobo 11 – Sokebolou – Yokri Road in Ogulagha Kingdom is the longest road to be constructed by any administration in the history of Delta State.