NDDC Boss Restates Commitment to Devt of Niger Delta

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has assured people of Niger Delta of the Board’s commitment to the development of the region.

Ogbuku said the NDDC currently has the best brains both on the board and management as duly and clearly picked by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, where they have former House of Representatives members, former Senators, among others.
Ogbuku, disclosed that the Chairman of the board was a former Secretary to the Delta State government and a former Commissioner who was well experienced, describing the team as the best team NDDC management ever had.

The NDDC boss spoke during a reception ceremony organised in his honour at Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa state.
Ogbuku, who also inaugurated a road in the Bayelsa community, said the honour done on him was expectation for more development, not only in the State, but in the nine States under the NDDC.

He added, “It’s for more responsibility. My conduct positively or negatively will also tell on this Community. So it’s a very big responsibility and honour.
“I have decided that my team should come and join me because without their support, there is no way I can be able to meet up the expectation of my people. “We have collectively agreed that we are going to give back to this Community and Ogbia local government development. We have also collectively agreed that we are going to transform the Niger Delta region.

“That is why I thought it necessary that we all make this acceptance speech together.
“I Am assuring you that with this team, we are committed in transforming Niger Delta. Though they say charity begin at home, so we will start from home first. Am very committed to the development of this Community. The honour you did for me before is much more than today.

“Let me tell you publicly, when I was politically incarcerated and arrested in 2014 and locked up in Okaka prison for eight months, why I was there because of state government influence, some person’s even find it difficult to come and see me, some communities were even avoiding me, but this same community, my mother community conferred on me the first chieftaincy title. This is an act that no matter what happened they stood by me.

“I want you to understand that this is a reception in honour of myself and it was not a political rally, but if the colouration from the presentation of my chairman and the atmosphere paint Politics, you will not blame him and you will not blame me too because all of us the governing board of NDDC are members of APC.
“So, if an APC person goes to a place, you will also sure that APC members will join them to welcome him, that is why you see the image that way.
“Since my chairman did a lot of politicking, he was inspired to do that anyway and whatever my chairman says, I want you to understand that I stand by my chairman,” he added.

In his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Chiedu Ebie, who is also the Chairman of NDDC board, described Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as a visionary and dedicated individual whose contribution to the development of Niger Delta region is commendable.
Represented by the Director for Projects, Victor Antia, he said the gathering of people from far and near was a testimony to the immense respect and admiration they have on the Managing Director, Chief Sam Ogbuku.

In the Community address, read by the chairman of the planning committee, Chief Lawson Iberebo on behalf of the Chief Host, King Peter Amakiri,  he said the reception and the chieftaincy title on the NDDC boss was a result of his contribution towards the development of Niger Delta within this short period.