Port Harcourt, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has called for stronger, more accountable partnerships between the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and state governments to fully unlock the region’s developmental potential.
Speaking through the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anietie Udofia, at the 25th Anniversary celebration of the NDDC held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Governor Eno congratulated the Commission on its milestone and urged a renewed focus on collaborative governance
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“Twenty-five years ago, the NDDC emerged as a beacon of hope,” the Governor said. “It was born of a collective yearning to transform our oil-rich but underdeveloped region into a hub of opportunities. The journey so far has recorded significant milestones, but the road ahead demands a more united front.”
Governor Eno praised the Commission for impactful interventions in Akwa Ibom, including the 6km Iko-Atabrikang-Akata-Opulom-Ikot Inwang-Okoroutip-Iwochang Road, the iconic 600-metre Ibeno Bridge, and recent rural electrification and youth empowerment programmes. He described these projects as tangible evidence of what focused development efforts can achieve when executed efficiently.
While acknowledging progress, the Governor did not shy away from challenging the NDDC to tackle lingering issues such as abandoned projects and implementation delays. “Let us not celebrate with blinders on. The reality is that challenges persist, but I commend the current leadership for showing commendable resolve,” he noted.
Governor Eno reaffirmed Akwa Ibom State’s commitment to partnering with the NDDC through the state’s ARISE Agenda, which aligns seamlessly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He highlighted key priority sectors such as tourism, agriculture, rural infrastructure, and human capital development as areas where synergy could yield transformational outcomes.
“I urge the current leadership of the Commission to adopt a culture of genuine collaboration,” he said. “We must engage state governments from conceptualization to execution and monitoring, ensuring every naira invested delivers direct and measurable impact.”
According to the Governor, the Commission’s silver jubilee should be more than a celebration—it must signal the dawn of a more effective era in regional development. “Let this anniversary ignite a fresh commitment to our founding ideals—a Niger Delta that is not only rich in resources but rich in life, opportunities, and peace,” he concluded.
Dr. Udofia was accompanied by Apostle Samuel Ekah, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on NDDC Matters. The event drew high-profile attendees including the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Senator Aloysius Etok; Senator Ekong Sampson; and other regional leaders and stakeholders.
