Calabar – June 15, 2025
Minister of Regional Development, Chief Abubakar Momoh says Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC is bringing to reality the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu through rural development.
Chief Momoh made this known during the inauguration of Ultra Modern NDDC CROSS RIVER State Office, Road network of about eight point two Kilometres in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality as well as Flag off of the First Phase Distribution of Handheld Tiller Machines to Farmers in Calabar, Cross River State.
The atmosphere was like that of a carnival spectacle as residents of Calabar rolled out the drums to celebrate the projects by Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
The network of roads include Idang Street, King Dick Street, Ikong Nkebere and Nyaghasang among others in Calabar South and Calabar Municipality in addition to the Cross River State Office as well as distribution of handheld Tillers to farmers.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister of Regional Development, Chief Abubakar Momoh explained that NDDC was executing projects in different states as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. president.
Chief Abubakar was happy that NDDC has taken a bold step to acquire their own state offices to avoid waste of funds through rent.
The Minister acknowledged that NDDC was fulfilling the desires of the Ministry and presidency in taking development to the hinter lands.
He enjoined other regional development agencies to emulate NDDC and collaborate among themselves to bring to reality regional and legacy projects.
On his part, Chairman of the board of NDDC, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who asked for support from the state and residents to enable NDDC site more projects, appreciated the state for being peaceful and producing the Chairman Senate Committee on NDDC, Senate Asuquo Ekpeyong.
Addressing the gathering, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, DR. Samuel Ogbuku who told the people that the projects inauguration were in commemoration of President’s two years in office, insisted that gone were the days when NDDC was synonymous to project abandonment.
The MD stated that the inauguration of state office was a testimony of the seriousness of the commission for activities.
He revealed that the present Administration has built three state offices, a move he termed moving from transaction to transformation.
On the distribution of Handheld Tillers, the MD stated that it would be done across the region to boost food security in the region and nation at Large, in consonance with the vision of Mr. President.
He insisted that NDDC was willing to partner every state government in the region for project execution and empowerment of the people.
In a goodwill message, Chairman Senate committee on NDDC, Senator ASUQUO EKPEYONG who led other National Assembly members to the occasion maintained that the lawmakers would continue to allocate more funds to the commission to facilitate rural development.
Senator Ekpeyong noted that the roads would open up the communities and enhance commerce cum social activities within the affected areas.
He however called on NDDC to initiate regional business integration that would be of great benefit to the people.
Giving the project brief, Executive Director Projects , Sir Victor Antai asserted that the State office was crucial as it brought the Commission closer to the people for accessibility in terms of development.
Sir Antai noted that the projects were indications of NDDC’s commitment to reach different communities in the region.
The EDP gave assurance that the contractors executed the projects according to standards.
The project inauguration was part of another series in commemoration of NDDC silver Jubilee.
