By Onwa Ekor
The need to foster relationship while ensuring that the citizenry continue to enjoy socio-economic benefits of the President Bola Tinubu Renewed Hope Agenda and the People First mantra of Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Otu, took centre stage when the Managing Director/CEO of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, led his team on a courtesy visit to the Cross River governor at the State Executive Chambers, Government House, Calabar.
Welcoming the team, Otu described the visit as apt, admitting that as partners in progress, such decisions were imperative to build proper synergy among the Niger Delta states which Cross River, a socially organized state is inclusive.
According to the governor, “we believe in the Renewed Hope Agenda, ours in the state is People First mantra and we are doing the best to see that there is total hope for every Nigerian.”
Continuing, he remarked that Cross River is a state eager to develop, but often constrained by limited resources, hence strive to take advantage of available intervention through FAAC and other interventionist agencies like NDDC, to positively impact and uplift the lives of the people.
He expressed appreciation for the renewed partnership and the willingness of the Commission to re-engage stalled or abandoned projects, while also advocating for greater state inclusion in project planning and execution.
“We do not have any issues with the NDDC, neither do NDDC has any issue against us, but the best is for us to discuss because we have laid down protocols on business, in order not to give contract on top of contracts.
“We abide truly by the law and always do what is right. We want projects, one of the issues we frown at is that while we commend many of the things you have been doing, our state does not stand to benefit like others do.
“This, I believe that with the communication we are going to open now, we will be able to set the records straight,” the governor maintained.
Otu who also mentioned some of the abandoned projects in the state including the Adiabo-Ikoneto road, Ikom orthopaedic and cardiovascular medical center and the youth center at Akpabuyo, called on NDDC to ensure the projects come to fruition.
He added that Cross River as a border state has about 54,000 refugees which it is catering for, a development he remarked, “is not an easy task and is something that we want the agency to intervene and see if it can support us in any way.”
The governor who promised that the state would participate in the agency’s 25 years celebration, pointed out that whatever happened in the past was probably a break in communication which, moving forward, such would be corrected.
He further disclosed that an independent investigative panel has been put in place to check what really took place and for all to learn through the results that the panel would come up with, reasoning that, “we have taken an oath to serve the people and this time is to serve and not to play politics.”
Earlier, Ogbuku, emphasized that the Commission is now focused on building sustainable institutions, improving accountability and completing legacy projects.
“We are moving from transactional governance to transformational impact, as since we assumed office, we have cleared backlogs of staff salary, engaged the Nigerian Liquified and Natural Gas (NLNG) to develop institutional governance policies and commenced needs-assessment-driven projects across the region,” NDDC MD explained.
He commended Cross River’s cooperative stance and highlighted ongoing partnerships with private and public institutions such as NLNG and NNPC in delivering infrastructure, including the world-class hospital project underway in Ikom.
Ogbuku used the occasion to officially invite the governor and the people of Cross River to the Commission’s upcoming 25th anniversary celebration, scheduled for July 6–12, 2025, in Abuja.
The grand finale, the NDDC boss said, is billed for July 12, and will feature a public lecture by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expected as Special Guest of Honour, while former President Goodluck Jonathan, will be the Guest of Honour.
“This silver jubilee is not just NDDC’s celebration,” Ogbuku said, adding that, “it is a moment to reflect on the shared journey of the Niger Delta.”
“The ecological, environmental and economic challenges that unite us should also unite our development efforts,” he added.
Highlights of the visit was exchange of gifts by the NDDC team and the Cross River government.
