By Frank Ulom
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The Government of Cross River State has joined other states and stakeholders in the Niger Delta region to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), applauding the commission for its unwavering commitment to regional development, especially in the areas of infrastructure, social services, and the empowerment of youth and women across the state.
Governor Bassey Edet Otu, represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, led the Cross River State delegation and made the remarks while speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the NDDC 25th Anniversary Plenary Session, held on Saturday at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
“The good people of Cross River State join the rest of the Niger Delta in celebrating this momentous occasion of the NDDC.
“Over the past 25 years, the Commission has made notable strides in transforming the lives of citizens in Cross River State and across the Niger Delta, and we deeply appreciate the impact of its projects on our socio-economic development,” Odey stated.
Highlighting the NDDC’s infrastructural interventions, the Deputy Governor disclosed that the Commission has executed 227 completed and ongoing road projects across Cross River State. These projects, he noted, have significantly enhanced connectivity, trade, and access to essential services in previously underserved areas.
“These roads have revolutionised transportation infrastructure,” Odey emphasised, adding “They have improved access to markets, farmlands, healthcare facilities, and schools, while also creating jobs and energising local communities. The NDDC’s work has stimulated economic activity in some of the hitherto hard-to-reach communities.”
In addition to roads, Odey acknowledged NDDC’s significant interventions in electricity, healthcare, education, and youth skill acquisition, describing them as “lifelines” that continue to uplift the standard of living for residents of Cross River and the region at large.
While highlighting the challenges posed by Cross River’s exclusion from direct oil revenue allocations following the loss of its oil-producing status in 2013, the Deputy Governor commended the NDDC for ensuring the state remained a beneficiary of its development initiatives.
As the NDDC enters its next chapter, Odey reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to partner with the Commission in driving inclusive development and bridging socio-economic gaps in the Niger Delta.
“We urge the NDDC to sustain and deepen its interventions, and we reaffirm Cross River State’s commitment to working hand-in-hand with the Commission toward shared development goals,” he said.
The state delegation to the grand finale of the commission’s 25th-anniversary celebration included Hon. (Engr.) Francis Ogban (Biase State Constituency rep), Hon. Engr. Thomas Aruku (Ogoja Constituency rep), Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar (Chief of Staff to the Governor), Boniface Okache (Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor), Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba (Special Adviser on Special Duties), and Chief Ani Esin (NDDC Special Adviser).
Other prominent Niger Deltans and Nigerians in attendance included the Senate President, H.E. Dr. Godswill Akpabio; former President of Nigeria, H.E. Dr Goodluck Jonathan; Minister of Regional Development, State Governors, Senators, NDDC board members, including Cross River State Representative, Rt. Hon. Orok Duke; government functionaries, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders.
