The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said the Commission’s proposed N1.75 trillion 2025 budget must lead to clear and lasting development in communities across the Niger Delta.
The committee chairman, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, made the declaration on Tuesday during the NDDC’s budget defence session at the National Assembly. She cautioned that lawmakers would not handle the budget review as a routine exercise, stressing that the funds represent renewed expectations for people living in the oil-producing region.
According to her, the budget must be people-focused, transparent, and in line with national development priorities.
“The NDDC budget represents hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better quality of life for our people,” Ibori-Suenu said. “Every line item must be purposeful and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This Committee will insist on accountability, transparency, and value for money.”
She said the House would closely examine the budget to ensure it produces measurable results in key areas including infrastructure, human capacity development, youth empowerment, and economic inclusion.
Ibori-Suenu acknowledged the reform steps taken by the Commission but emphasized that continued support from lawmakers would depend on performance and real impact on the ground.
“The people of the Niger Delta deserve projects they can see, use, and benefit from,” she said, adding that the committee would maintain strong oversight to ensure proper implementation of the budget.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, presented the Commission’s N1.75 trillion 2025 budget proposal, which he described as a “Budget of Consolidation.”
Ogbuku said the proposal marks a move from transactional governance to a development 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 agenda of the current NDDC management.
The Managing Director noted that the Commission adopted a no-borrowing policy, which resulted in a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget.
He disclosed that personnel costs were projected at N47.5 billion, overhead costs at N96.4 billion, while capital expenditure remained the main focus of the budget.
Ogbuku also revealed that the Commission had moved away from line-item budgeting to sector-based allocations in order to reduce delays and improve project execution.
Reviewing the Commission’s 2024 performance, he said the NDDC surpassed its revenue target, recording N1.945 trillion in actual revenue against a projected N1.911 trillion.
