By Uko Okon
Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has called for deeper collaboration between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and subnational governments to foster sustainable development across the region.
Speaking during the 25th anniversary celebration of the NDDC held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Governor Eno, who was represented by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, emphasized the importance of strategic and accountable partnerships between the commission and Niger Delta states.
He noted that the NDDC was established 25 years ago as a beacon of hope, born from a collective vision to transform the oil-rich but underdeveloped and environmentally degraded region into a hub of economic opportunity. He acknowledged that, over the years, the commission has undertaken projects and programmes that demonstrate what focused effort and commitment can achieve.
Governor Eno commended the commission for key interventions in Akwa Ibom State, including the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang road, the iconic 600-metre Ibeno Bridge, rural electrification projects, and youth development programmes. He described them as impactful initiatives that have improved livelihoods in the state.
However, he urged the NDDC to address lingering issues of abandoned projects and delays in implementation, even as he acknowledged the efforts of the commission’s current leadership.
While outlining the ARISE Agenda—his administration’s development framework—as a platform for collaboration, the governor expressed readiness to work with the NDDC in alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative. He identified tourism, agriculture, rural transformation, and human capital development as key sectors where synergy between the NDDC and states could yield significant and lasting results.
Governor Eno appealed to the NDDC to adopt a more inclusive approach by engaging state governments at all stages of projects, from conception to execution and monitoring. He stressed that such collaboration would ensure that resources are efficiently utilized and lead to visible, impactful development across the region.
He described the 25th anniversary as a timely opportunity to recommit to the founding vision of the commission and to usher in a new era of regional growth.
“Let us collectively rededicate ourselves to building a Niger Delta that is prosperous, socially stable, and ecologically sustainable—a region where our children can grow, learn, and thrive in peace and harmony,” he said.
