"Reps Committee: N1.75trn NDDC Budget Needs to Make a Meaningful Impact in the Niger Delta"

The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has stated that the Commission’s proposed ₦1.75 trillion budget for 2025 must lead to significant and sustainable development in communities throughout the Niger Delta.

The committee chair, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, made this announcement on Tuesday during the NDDC’s budget defense session at the National Assembly. She warned that lawmakers would not treat the budget review as a mere formality, emphasizing that these funds embody renewed hopes for the residents of the oil-producing region.

According to her, the budget must be centered on the people, transparent, and aligned with national development priorities.

“The NDDC budget symbolizes hope, opportunity, and the promise of an improved quality of life for our citizens,” Ibori-Suenu stated. “Each line item must be intentional and consistent with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This Committee will demand accountability, transparency, and value for public funds.”

She mentioned that the House would closely scrutinize the budget to ensure it yields measurable outcomes in critical areas such as infrastructure, human capacity development, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.

Ibori-Suenu acknowledged the reform measures undertaken by the Commission but stressed that continued support from lawmakers would be contingent upon performance and tangible impacts on the ground.

“The people of the Niger Delta deserve projects that are visible, usable, and beneficial,” she asserted, adding that the committee would exercise strong oversight to guarantee effective implementation of the budget.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the Commission’s ₦1.75 trillion budget proposal for 2025, which he referred to as a “Budget of Consolidation.”

Ogbuku indicated that the proposal signifies a shift from transactional governance to a developmental approach focused on results and long-term transformation.

He explained that the budget aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and reflects the reform initiatives of the current NDDC management.

The Managing Director noted that the Commission has adopted a no-borrowing policy, resulting in a 9% reduction from the 2024 budget.

He revealed that personnel costs are projected at ₦47.5 billion, overhead costs at ₦96.4 billion, while capital expenditure remains the primary focus of the budget.

Ogbuku also disclosed that the Commission has transitioned from line-item budgeting to sector-based allocations to reduce delays and enhance project execution.

In reviewing the Commission’s performance in 2024, he stated that the NDDC exceeded its revenue target, achieving ₦1.945 trillion in actual revenue compared to a projected ₦1.911 trillion.