The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) announced that it will begin commissioning 92 infrastructure projects worth N84 billion across the region’s nine mandated states in the coming two weeks.
The Obehie to Oke Ikpe road in Abia State, for example, was reconstructed for N3.5 billion. The nine-kilometer road connects Rivers and Akwa Ibom states via Abia (Ukwa East/West).
“It entailed rebuilding seven kilometres of failed road and constructing three and eight kilometres of drainage.
“Additional projects include roads, electrification, a police station, health clinics, and school buildings.”
The Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, said in a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday that the projects represent the Commission’s impact on changing the region’s development narratives.
The projects include the 25.7-kilometer Ogbia-Nembe Road, which for the first time in living memory connects the ancient city of Nembe to the road network. The star project also includes 9.15 kilometres of prefabricated vertical drains in the swamp, as well as seven bridges built at a cost of N24 billion.
According to the statement, the completed road would reduce travel time to Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, from three hours via dangerous waterways to 45 minutes. It also allows 14 communities to develop.
According to the statement, the project was carried out in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and is hailed as a model for NDDC’s partnership approach to addressing the region’s development challenges.
The statement reads, “The projects include the 25.7-kilometer Ogbia-Nembe Road, which creates a road link to the ancient city of Nembe for the first time in living memory.” The star project also includes 9.15 kilometres of prefabricated vertical drains for the swamp, as well as seven bridges.
“The road, built at a cost of N24 billion, reduces travel time to Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, from 3 hours via dangerous water routes to 45 minutes. It also provides opportunities for development in 14 communities.
“The project was completed in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company, SPDC, and is hailed as a model of NDDC’s partnership approach to addressing the region’s development challenges.
“The 132KV Transmission Line and I32KV/33KV Substation electrification project, completed for N8.3 billion to optimise power supply to local government areas in the southern part of Ondo State, is also set to be commissioned.
“The project includes the construction of 45km of double circuit 33KV feeder lines from Omotosho Power Station (Hook-up point) to Okitipupa, as well as two 30MVA, 132/33KV injection substations with breakers, gantry, and substation automation.” It also calls for the construction of a three-bedroom semi-detached bungalow as service quarters.
“The capacity of this power station is optimised with the provision of 2 x 60MVA, 132/33KV transformer and other ancillary works at Okitipupa Injection Substation, rehabilitation of 35km 33/11KV transmission from Okitipupa-Igbokoda-Ugbonla and environs, and the construction of 1km rigid pavement.”
According to the statement, “The electricity project will complement the Federal Government’s efforts in the power sector by improving power supply to Okitipupa, Igbokoda, and other neighbouring communities in Ondo South Senatorial District with direct value chain in small and medium scale industries, job creation, and consequently engender growth and development in Ondo State.”
“The NDDC will open the 6.87-kilometre Iko-Iwuochang road in Akwa Ibom State’s southern region. The road project consists of a two-lane single-carriageway, a 600-meter bridge, and side drains.
“The N10 billion virgin road project connects 20 communities previously separated by the Qua Iboe river.”

The Nigerian government has urged the European Union to increase its assistance in the country’s fight against insecurity, noting that if a percentage of the assistance given to Ukraine to counter Russian aggression were given to Nigeria, the country would be free of terrorism and banditry threats.

Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of Defence, made the statement at the Road to Schuman Security Conference, which was organised by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, ECOWAS, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the ECOWAS Commission.

The Minister, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, stated that it is time for the world to band together to combat terrorism, emphasising that what affects one part of the world affects the rest.

He stated that no one would have predicted 25 years ago that Nigeria would be plagued by this level of insecurity, and that suicide bombings were unthinkable in Nigeria decades ago.

He stated, “If Nigeria received one percent of the support provided to Ukraine in its fight against Russia, we would be free of terrorism.”

He condemned recent military coups in West African countries, particularly Niger, which is currently ruled by a military junta, and urged everyone to help address the situation.

The speaker emphasised the importance of the forum in addressing coups in Africa, noting that Nigeria has no better or larger neighbour than Niger.

He never denied that Nigeria was planning to storm Niger to depose the military junta, claiming that Nigeria has the capability to do so but decided against it on second thought.

He stated, “We have the capability to send troops to Niger, but we weighed the options and chose Schuman’s path, the path of peace.”

According to him, Nigeria will continue to work with the EU and the Schuman Forum to end insecurity in West Africa, particularly in nations ruled by military juntas, while also advocating for good governance and job creation for Africa’s youth.

He stated, “This forum is an avenue to find out the causes of coups in Africa and propose possible solutions.”

Major General Adamu Laka, National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), urged all stakeholders to work together to address current and emerging security threats and promote national development in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

The National Coordinator stated that the event aimed to enhance effective partnership in changing global security dynamics. The country’s critical situation informed the deployment of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches to respond to emerging security threats.

He thanked the EU for its dedication to preserving peace and security in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.

Amb. Samuela Isopi, leader of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, stated that the meeting’s purpose was to gather perspectives and assessments on the major peace, security, and defence challenges confronting Nigeria and its regional environment.

Isopi emphasised that, in light of the changing global security landscape, the meeting would focus on how to nurture and shape a tailored security and defence partnership between Nigeria and the EU. ‘No one can afford to work alone,’ she explained.

During the afternoon session between the EU and ECOWAS, titled Reducing Vulnerabilities through Partnerships- a Stakeholders’ Engagement on Regional Defence and Security Perspectives, ECOWAS Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Amb. Abdel-Fatau Musah, stated that the coup and subsequent withdrawal of three countries from the subregional body has complicated the fight against terrorism in West Africa.

He stated that $2.4 billion is being spent to establish an anti-terrorism organisation in West Africa, and that allowing terrorism to thrive would jeopardise the entire region.

He stated that the three countries, despite having announced their exit from the regional bloc, are still considered members of ECOWAS until January next year.

He stated that we want the countries back because they are valuable to the Community.

Musah stated that ECOWAS was willing to collaborate with the EU to bring peace back to the region.

The meeting in Abuja, Nigeria, served as a precursor to the Schuman Security and Defence Forum, which will take place in Brussels, Belgium on May 28 and 29, 2024, and will include Nigeria, 27 EU member states, 60 partner countries, and international organisations.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has stated that the Nigerian government will continue to work with traditional institutions in the country, particularly in the protection and preservation of the environment by discouraging tree felling and promoting clean cooking.

The Minister made the announcement during a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Thursday by His Royal Highness, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment.

Balarabe stated that the Ministry is doing a lot to address environmental issues such as plastic waste, erosion and flooding, desertification, drought control, and other climate change challenges.

He assured the visiting monarch that as the former Minister of Environment, he would build on his legacy and carry out the Ministry’s mandate in accordance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the Environment.

Earlier, his Royal Highness, Alh. Ibrahim Usman Jibrin, Emir of Nasarawa and former Minister of Environment, praised the Ministry’s staff for addressing the country’s environmental challenges and assured the Minister of the Traditional Institutions’ unwavering support to carry out the Ministry’s mandate.

The Emir urged the Ministry to work collaboratively to promote environmental sustainability, emphasising that “the environment is the only one we have, so let us make it conducive.”

In another development, the Honourable Minister welcomed the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Nigeria, H. E Salem Saeed, on an official working visit to the Federal Ministry of Environment, where important bilateral discussions focused on environmental issues such as the recently concluded COP28 held in Dubai, UAE last year, plastic pollution challenges, desertification control, tree planting, erosion and flood control, among others.

The Minister praised the UAE for hosting the event, as well as the President of COP28, Sultan al-Jabar, who provided the outcome of the discussions with an agreement that signals the “beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying the groundwork for a swift, just, and equitable transition, supported by deep emissions cuts and increased financing.

Balarabe went on to say that Nigeria and the UAE have many areas of collaboration, particularly in terms of the outcomes of COP28 decisions.

He also praised the President of the UAE for resuming flights to the country and beginning visa issuance to Nigerians on October 1, 2024.

Earlier, H. E Salem Saeed, Ambassador of the UAE to Nigeria, congratulated the Honourable Minister of Environment on his well-deserved appointment and stated that the Ministry is doing well, particularly Nigeria’s participation in the Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai last year.

Saeed stated that Nigeria and the UAE would continue to collaborate and partner in areas of mutual interest in environmental sustainability.

It should be noted that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosted the COP28 last year in Dubai under the slogan “UNITE, ACT, DELIVER.”