The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Nigeria, has reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining strong collaboration with security agencies as a critical strategy for maintaining peace, protecting national assets, and accelerating development across the Niger Delta region.
The assurance was given by the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, during a courtesy visit by the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, and his entourage to the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Dr Ogbuku emphasised that security and development are inseparable, stressing that no meaningful development can thrive in an environment of insecurity, just as underdevelopment often breeds instability.
According to him, the Commission has deliberately built a robust working relationship with security agencies operating in the region to ensure that development initiatives are protected and sustained.
“At the NDDC, we believe that security and development go hand in hand. Without security, communities cannot develop, and when communities remain underdeveloped, insecurity is bound to thrive. That is why we continue to work closely with security agencies across the Niger Delta,” Ogbuku said.
The Managing Director noted that the Commission’s support for security agencies aligns with the directive of President Bola Tinubu to ensure peace and security nationwide, adding that the Niger Delta remains one of the most peaceful regions in the country today due to consistent security interventions.
“All that we do in the Niger Delta is in line with Mr President’s mandate, security is a collective responsibility involving host communities, the government, and institutions like the NDDC. We will continue to support the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to enable them to effectively carry out their duties,” he stated.
Dr Ogbuku further assured the Naval Command of the Commission’s readiness to deepen engagement, stressing that the NDDC would continue to provide strategic interventions to address operational challenges faced by security agencies in the region.
“What we have done so far is only a prelude to what is to come. We will keep the lines of communication open and go beyond boardroom engagements by visiting operational areas to better understand the realities on the ground,” he said.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim commended the NDDC for its visible and impactful interventions across the Niger Delta, describing the Commission’s projects as clear evidence of development under the current management.
“On behalf of the people of the Niger Delta, I thank the NDDC for its contributions to improving lives across the region, since Dr Ogbuku assumed office, we have witnessed remarkable development in many communities,” the Naval Commander said.
He praised the Managing Director’s dedication and resilience, noting that his familiarisation tour of the Niger Delta revealed numerous NDDC-funded projects, including solar-powered streetlights, inverter installations, naval base infrastructure, and the construction of a secondary school for the Nigerian Navy.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim also disclosed that the Nigerian Navy recently launched “Operation Sentinel,” an initiative aimed at securing crude oil exploration, production, and transportation in line with national economic objectives.
He explained that with plans by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to increase crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027, sustained collaboration between the NDDC and security agencies would be crucial.
“If this target is achieved, the NDDC will be a major beneficiary, and the people of the Niger Delta will directly gain through increased development projects. We, therefore, appeal to the Commission to sustain and expand its support to strengthen the Navy’s security apparatus and help meet and surpass this target,” he said.
The Naval Commander also acknowledged the Commission’s consistent support for security agencies and called for an even stronger partnership to ensure lasting peace, increased oil production, and a positive global image for the Niger Delta region.