The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has refuted reports published by Sahara Reporters alleging delays in its projects and mismanagement of public funds.
In a statement on Thursday, the Commission described the report titled “NDDC Projects Drag in Niger Delta as Tinubu Government Fails to Publish Commission’s Audit Report” as false, malicious, and aimed at tarnishing its image.
The online publication had claimed that the Commission diverted ₦5 billion to sponsor the 50th birthday of its Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, and linked delays in project execution to the Federal Government’s failure to release the NDDC forensic audit report.
The Commission dismissed the allegations as baseless, clarifying that Ogbuku’s birthday was privately funded by friends and associates, and centred mainly on book presentations, thanksgiving, and communal reflection.
On project delivery, the NDDC stressed that it has remained steadfast in driving the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta. It cited several completed and ongoing projects, including:
* The 9.6km Abraka-Oben Road in Delta State.
* The 7.3km Oyigbo Road Network and Mgboji-Umuagbu Akwete Road in Rivers State.
* The 7.8km Eziama-Abba-Owerre Nkworji Road in Imo State.
* The 23.7km Ndoro-Ntalakwu Road and Isi-Court Olokoro-Amaoba Oboro Road in Abia State.
* The Ultra-Modern NDDC Cross River State Office and 8.1km road network in Calabar.
* The Renewed Hope Multi-Purpose Training Centre in Bayelsa State.
The Commission also highlighted previously commissioned projects across Abia, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom states, including major roads, bridges, and electricity infrastructure.
Ongoing legacy projects include the Kaa-Ataba Bridge linking Khana and Andoni LGAs of Rivers State, the Okirika-Borikiri Bridge, regional specialist hospitals in Cross River and Rivers states, and the Bonny Ring Road.
The NDDC maintained that the allegations were “a deliberate attempt to undermine visible developmental strides” and urged the public to disregard them.
“Sahara Reporters has chosen the path of falsehood, but the Niger Delta chooses the path of development,” the Commission stated.
