Proceedings at the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) turned solemn before becoming probing on Tuesday, as Senator Ned Munir Nwoko used the 2025 budget defence to honour a late colleague and spotlight critical infrastructure gaps in Delta State.
At the opening of the session, Senator Nwoko drew the committee’s attention to the recent death of former committee chairman, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi. He moved a motion for a minute’s silence in his honour, which was unanimously observed.
As deliberations progressed, Senator Nwoko engaged the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, on the Commission’s revenue profile and project delivery record.
In his presentation, Dr. Ogbuku disclosed that as of October 31, 2025, the Commission had recorded an actual revenue of ₦1.985 trillion, exceeding the projected ₦1.911 trillion for the April 2024 to September 2025 period, representing a 104 per cent performance. He attributed the increase to the extension of the 2024 budget implementation to December 31, 2025.
The NDDC boss further explained that the proposed 2025 budget, tagged the “Budget of Consolidation,” stands at ₦1.75 trillion, reflecting a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget, driven by the Commission’s no-borrowing policy.
However, Senator Nwoko expressed concern over a major road project in Delta State that was captured in the previous budget but has yet to commence.
He cited the road spanning Oko, Abala, Utchi, Okpai, Aboh, Asaba-Ase and Patani, stressing that despite its clear appropriation, no visible progress has been made.
According to the lawmaker, the project was designed not only to improve connectivity but also to serve as a flood-control measure for riverine and hinterland communities vulnerable to recurring flooding.
He described the delay as unfortunate, noting that the project has significant social and economic value and could greatly improve livelihoods across the affected areas.
The matter, he said, would be pursued further during the committee’s closed-door engagement with the Commission, as deliberations later continued in executive session.
