A Paper Delivered by: Distinguished Senator Rowland Owie, KSJI, Former Chief Whip of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the General Assembly of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) Port Harcourt, Rivers State | October 24, 2024
Introduction: The NDDC’s Origins and Vision
It is an honor to stand before you today, as we gather under the auspices of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), to reflect on an institution that was conceived to bring transformative change to our beloved region—the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The NDDC was not born out of happenstance but was meticulously crafted as part of a larger vision to address the deeply rooted developmental issues that have plagued the Niger Delta for decades. When President Olusegun Obasanjo assumed office in May 1999, he recognized that if Nigeria was to progress as a nation, the Niger Delta—the lifeblood of our nation’s oil wealth—had to be treated with the urgency it deserved.
President Obasanjo’s NDDC Establishment Bill was one of the first two bills he submitted to the National Assembly. The other, equally significant, was the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Bill, designed to fight systemic corruption. The NDDC Bill was conceived to address the escalating restiveness in the Niger Delta, which had been long-neglected despite being the economic backbone of the nation. Interestingly, the inspiration behind the creation of the NDDC can be traced back to the Willink Commission Report of 1958, which highlighted the unique developmental challenges of the Niger Delta. Even though oil had not yet become the resource it is today, the Commission foresaw the need for a specialized agency to foster development in the region.
However, the journey from conception to implementation was anything but smooth. The NDDC, though championed by President Obasanjo, quickly became a battleground for political maneuvering. As pioneer Chief Whip of the Senate of the 4 the National Assembly, I was very involved in the process and witnessed, first-hand all that transpired. A power struggle ensued between the presidency and the National Assembly, led by the then-Senate President, Chuba Okadigbo, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ghali Na’Abba. Among the core disagreements was the question of funding. The National Assembly rejected President Obasanjo’s proposal that the states contribute a proportion of their revenues to the NDDC, arguing that states could not be compelled to part with their funds. Moreover, the National Assembly expanded the funding scope for the NDDC to include not only onshore but also offshore oil revenues, while increasing the contribution from oil companies by an additional percentage point.
When President Obasanjo vetoed these amendments, the National Assembly responded with an unprecedented show of legislative power. In July 2000, the National Assembly mobilized and successfully overturned the president’s veto with over a two-thirds majority in both chambers, marking the first time a presidential veto had been overridden in Nigeria’s history. The political back-and-forth that characterized the NDDC’s establishment underscored the high stakes involved in the commission’s potential to reshape the Niger Delta.
Now, almost a quarter-century later, we must ask ourselves: Has the NDDC lived up to the promise of transforming the Niger Delta? Can it still fulfill its mandate to unlock the region’s prosperity, or has it become another missed opportunity in Nigeria’s long history of unrealized potential?
The Role of the NDDC: A Mission to Transform
The Niger Delta Development Commission was conceived with an ambitious mandate: to address the systemic underdevelopment, environmental degradation, and social unrest in the region. The Commission’s objectives, as outlined in its enabling Act, include the promotion of physical development, environmental protection, and social-economic advancement of the region. This comprehensive approach was designed to position the NDDC as the engine of regional renewal, one capable of translating the Niger Delta’s immense natural wealth into tangible improvements in the quality of life for its people.
At its core, the NDDC was intended to be the vehicle through which the region’s oil wealth would be reinvested into infrastructure, education, healthcare, and social services. The commission was also tasked with facilitating peace and security, recognizing that the recurring cycles of violence and unrest in the Niger Delta were largely driven by a profound sense of marginalization.
Indeed, the NDDC was meant to be an answer to the long-standing grievances of the people of the Niger Delta—grievances that have roots not only in the environmental destruction caused by oil exploration but also in the glaring lack of basic infrastructure, despite the region’s enormous contribution to Nigeria’s GDP. For far too long, the people of the Niger Delta have suffered the paradox of being rich in resources but poor in opportunities.
Challenges Facing the NDDC: Institutional Weakness and Corruption
Yet, despite its lofty goals, the NDDC has been unable to fully deliver on its promise. Today, as we take stock of its nearly 25-year existence, we must confront the uncomfortable truth: the Commission has been plagued by many of the same challenges it was created to solve.
First among these challenges is institutional weakness. The NDDC has suffered from a lack of consistent leadership and strategic direction. Over the years, the Commission has been beset by frequent leadership changes, political interference, and a lack of continuity in its projects. The revolving door of NDDC executives has made it difficult to implement long-term development plans. More often than not, new administrations have come in and abandoned the projects of their predecessors, leaving the region littered with incomplete and abandoned infrastructure.
Corruption, too, has been a persistent problem. The NDDC’s vast financial resources, rather than being channeled towards development, have often been siphoned off through dubious contracts, inflated project costs, and outright embezzlement. A report by the Auditor-General’s office revealed staggering financial irregularities, including billions of naira unaccounted for. This corruption has not only undermined the Commission’s credibility but has also deepened the frustration of the people of the Niger Delta, who have yet to see the promised dividends of development.
Unlocking Regional Prosperity: The Way Forward
Despite these challenges, I firmly believe that the NDDC still holds the potential to unlock regional prosperity for the Niger Delta—if it is properly reformed and administered. The commission can still be a catalyst for transformative development, but this will require a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and strategic vision.
The first step in this process is to strengthen the institutional framework of the NDDC. This means appointing leaders with a genuine commitment to the region’s development, free from political patronage. The Commission’s leadership must be empowered to pursue long-term development goals, rather than being bogged down by the short-term interests of political actors.
Equally important is the need for greater oversight and accountability. The NDDC’s financial operations must be subjected to regular audits, and those found guilty of corrupt practices should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Only by restoring trust in the NDDC’s operations can we ensure that its resources are used for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta.
There is also a need for better coordination between the NDDC and other development agencies. The recently renamed Ministry of Regional Development, formerly the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, presents a unique opportunity to rethink how development is approached in the region. By viewing the Ministry not just as a vehicle for distributing oil revenues but as a platform for regional renewal, we can begin to craft a more holistic and integrated development strategy.
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to rename the ministry, though controversial, may serve as a
turning point in reorienting policy makers’ mentalities towards long-term, sustainable development. We must seize this moment to push for a new vision of regional prosperity—one that is rooted in the empowerment of the people of the Niger Delta and the sustainable use of the region’s natural resources.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As we stand on the threshold of a new chapter in the Niger Delta’s history, I urge all stakeholders to redouble their efforts to ensure that the NDDC fulfills its original mandate. The time for excuses has passed. The time for action is now.
The people of the Niger Delta have waited long enough for the promises of development to be realized. With the right leadership, the NDDC can still be the catalyst for a brighter future for our region. It can still unlock the vast potential of the Niger Delta and ensure that the wealth of this region is used to uplift its people, rather than enrich a few.
Let us commit today to working together—governments, communities, civil society, and the private sector—to transform the Niger Delta into a region of peace, prosperity, and progress. The future of the Niger Delta is in our hands. Let us not squander this opportunity.
Thank you.
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