NDDC Audit Delay Stalls Projects In Niger Delta

The Niger Delta Development Commission is once again in the spotlight as major infrastructure projects across the region remain unfinished while the federal government has yet to publish the commission’s forensic audit report.

The situation has raised fresh concerns about transparency and the use of public funds under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The audit, which cost over ₦652 million between February 17 and 22, 2023, was meant to account for how the commission had managed its resources. Despite the large expenditure, the report has not been released, leaving questions about accountability unanswered and casting doubt on ongoing development efforts.

Several road and bridge projects meant to improve connectivity in the oil-rich region have stalled. These include the 1.2 km Kaa-Ataba Bridge in Rivers State, the 30 km Nasak Junction AON Road and Bridge in Akwa Ibom State, the Okirika-Borikiri Bridge, and the 27 km Bonny Ring Road, which features 13 bridges. Communities depending on these projects remain cut off as work drags on without clear timelines.

Attention has also turned to the leadership of NDDC Managing Director, Sam Ogbuku. His 50th birthday celebration drew wide criticism after it was reported to have cost billions of naira. Many believe the extravagant display is at odds with the commission’s mission to tackle poverty, unemployment, and environmental damage in the Niger Delta.

The controversy deepened when it was revealed that in November 2023, the commission distributed vehicles to board members despite a presidential directive to halt official activities at the time. Civil society groups and community leaders see these moves as evidence of poor financial discipline and misplaced priorities.

In August 2025, the Ijaw Publishers Forum joined other groups to call for a probe of the commission. Anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC are now being urged to step in and investigate allegations of corruption and waste within the agency.

The NDDC was established in 2000 to address the deep-rooted neglect of oil-producing states by investing in infrastructure, human development, and environmental protection. Two decades later, many argue that the commission has drifted away from its founding mission, leaving communities in continued hardship while resources are diverted to personal indulgences.

The absence of the audit report and the persistence of uncompleted projects show a troubling pattern. Until the commission is made more transparent and accountable, the people of the Niger Delta may continue to wait for the development that has long been promised but rarely delivered.