The Akwa Ibom state governor, Umo Eno, Wednesday, stated the need for effective collaboration between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and states in the region to achieve sustainable development.
The governor stated this during the 25th anniversary celebration of the NDDC held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.
Eno, represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, stated the importance of strategic and accountable partnerships between the NDDC and sub-national governments to build on the commission’s legacy.
“Twenty-five years ago, the NDDC emerged as a beacon of hope conceived from a collective yearning to transform our oil-rich region from being environmentally degraded and underdeveloped into a thriving zone of opportunity.
“Over the years, the commission has made notable strides, with projects and programmes that stand as testaments to what focused effort can achieve,” he said.
He commended the NDDC for some recent projects in Akwa Ibom state, including the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road, the iconic 600-metre Ibeno Bridge, rural electrification, and youth development programmes.
He noted these are projects with genuine impacts that have improved livelihoods in the region.
He urged the NDDC to explore ways of surmounting the challenges of abandoned projects and implementation delays.
“While we celebrate achievements, we cannot ignore the persistent challenges. But I must commend the commission under this present leadership for a job well done,” said.
He used the platform to outline his administration’s readiness to partner with the commission through the ARISE Agenda, a development blueprint of his administration to fully align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The governor identified strategic areas such as tourism, agriculture, rural transformation, and human capital development as key sectors where NDDC-state collaboration can yield exponential impacts.
Eno said: “I urge the current leadership of the NDDC to embrace an era of committed partnerships. Let us elevate mutual trust by genuinely engaging state governments in every phase, from project conceptualization to execution and oversight to ensure every naira invested translates directly into visible, lasting development that truly changes lives.”