Dr. Sam Ogbuku, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has asked the House of Representatives for assistance in his efforts to collect the more than N2 trillion that the Federal Government is obligated to pay.
At a conversation led by Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, the chair of the House of Representatives’ Committee on NDDC, Dr. Ogbuku made the appeal.
In his words, the sum reflects the accrual of fifteen percent of the nine NDDC member states’ allotment, which is owed to the Commission since 2000 but has never been settled.
The fact that the Commission has not yet received the monies, even after the NDDC Appropriation Acts for the years 2021, 2022, and 2023 were passed, was another complaint he voiced.
“I want to bring up a serious matter,” he stated. In terms of financing, the NDDC Act stipulates that the Federal Government will provide 15% of the monthly allotment to the nine Niger Delta States.
But I can guarantee you that it hasn’t received that since the NDDC’s founding.
“The Federal Government only allocates funds to NDDC for that specific year, and they do so.” We are not receiving the fifteen percent, if you look at it.
“The National Domestic Content (NDDC) remains unchanged despite the elimination of fuel subsidies and the increase in State allocation.
We have calculated that, from 2000 to the present, we are owing almost N2 trillion from what is allegedly due to NDDC, thus these are the issues we would like your assistance in resolving.
Dr. Ogbuku lamented that even though the Commission had expedited its three-year budget, they had not yet received the cash. He took on the role of interim president in January 2023.
Additionally, at the time we joined, the NDDC did not have a budget for 2021, 2022, or 2023. We had to expedite the passage of these budgets, which were presented to the National Assembly, and they were ultimately approved in April of this year.
But as of right now, we haven’t received the budget since it was approved. We humbly ask that you expedite the procedure so that we can obtain the budget as soon as possible, as the fiscal year is almost over,” he stated.
According to him, the Commission’s massive debt load—which resulted from a system malfunction—also forced them to introduce a public-private partnership (PPP) structure in April of this year, through which both public and private organisations are able to fund projects in the NDDC.
According to Hon. Chiedu Ebie, Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, they would continue to have excellent ties with the Committee and National Assembly.
He further pledged that together, they will secure a positive transformation in the commission’s narrative.
Hon. Ibori-Suenu Erhiatake, the chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, stated during his speech that the committee would investigate the concerns brought out by the Commission in order to find solutions.
According to her, the Committee hopes to collaborate with the Board in order to change the Niger Delta’s historical narrative and allow the Commission to enhance the living circumstances and quality of life for the local populace.
According to her, each committee member is prepared and dedicated to fulfilling their assigned responsibilities.
For the benefit of all Nigerians, but particularly those in the Niger Delta, it is crucial that we establish a forum for collaboration in the execution of these policies and initiatives.
“Let me reassure you that this Committee is prepared to work with you to ensure that the area benefits from democracy and that the narratives established by the previous board are improved.
As a board, I would want to ask for your assistance in this matter. I also want to make sure that whatever information we receive from you is appropriate for our committee to use, and that everything we do moving forward is in the service of fulfilling our responsibilities to the people.
Regarding the budget, we would investigate and determine the reason it hasn’t been sent to the Commission.
“Now that you have brought it to our attention, we will investigate, but I can’t really say when it will happen.”
