Bola Tinubu has said it has directed the completion of some abandoned projects in the Niger Delta region.

Tinubu reaffirmed the significance of the Niger Delta region to the country’s economic prosperity, describing it as “the goose that lays the golden egg.”

Tinubu stated this at the plenary session of the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission held in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, Tinubu said the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would serve as a viable alternative to the East-West Road.

He said the flagship infrastructure project “will foster trade and connectivity across the region while opening up new investment prospects in the hydrocarbon belt and spurring the growth of eco-tourism and blue economy-based industries in the region.”

This is as he tasked the NDDC to fast-track the completion of abandoned projects that are critical to the development of the region.

He stated, “I have also directed the board and management of the commission, through the Minister of Regional Development, to complete and deliver abandoned critical projects, including the Kaa-Ataba Bridge, Okrika-Borokiri Bridge, Bonny Ring Road, Gbaregolo Roads and Bridges, and the East-West Sampou Roads and Bridges, among several others.”

Tinubu commended the NDDC leadership for its efforts on improving the commission’s service delivery.

He encouraged them to sustain the momentum and continue working towards enhancing the region’s development.

“Beyond infrastructural development, the NDDC must continue to prioritise human capital development, as it remains the primary index of progress.

“Projects and programmes that directly impact the lives of ordinary people in rural communities must be prioritised. In this regard, I commend the Board and Management for the “Light Up the Niger Delta” initiative, which has not only reduced night crimes and enhanced security but has also extended trading hours and improved social life across the region.”

While congratulating the commission on the silver anniversary, he called on the people of the Niger Delta to continue to support his administration’s programmes and policies.

Speaking at the event, former president Goodluck Jonathan called on the NDDC to prioritise “long-term, people-focused infrastructure” over politically “motivated short-term projects,” saying frequent leadership changes had stunted the commission’s impact.

“In just 25 years, the NDDC has had over 11 CEOs. I thank the President for retaining the current CEO.

“Let the next 25 years be defined by legacy projects, not just visions and promises. Resist the temptation to award projects without proper funding, “ Jonathan stated.

Rechoing Jonathan’s concerns, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, blamed leadership crisis and internal corruption for the NDDC’s underperformance.

Akpabio said, “For over 20 years, NDDC operated from a rented apartment at N300m per year, without connection to the national grid. Yet diesel contracts were preferred over a one-time N70m grid connection.”

On her part, the Director of the World Trade Organisation, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, urged NDDC to deliver measurable results.

She stated, “Over N7tn has been sunk into the NDDC since inception. How many solid roads have you built? The Niger Delta still ranks low on human development. A lot needs to be done to meet the aspirations of the people”.

Ogbuku assured stakeholders of a new era of impact driven by partnerships.

“We don’t want to be defined by our past. We have decided to create a future for the Niger Delta through partnerships with IOCs, traditional rulers, and stakeholders,” he said.