By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachmeluwa
In a strategic shift aimed at restoring confidence and strengthening partnerships, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced that host communities of international oil companies (IOCs) will begin to see increased development activities in their areas, following complaints by oil multinationals over years of neglect.
Speaking during a world press briefing in Asaba, Delta State, as part of events marking the commission’s 25th anniversary, NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the agency had taken steps to rebuild trust with oil-producing companies by deliberately prioritizing projects in their host areas.
According to him, several IOCs had expressed reluctance to meet their statutory funding obligations to the NDDC, citing the agency’s consistent failure to execute projects in their operational zones despite being the primary contributors.
“When we engaged the IOCs, their major concern was that the NDDC had not been doing enough in their areas of operation, which made them hesitant to release funds,” Ogbuku said. “We acknowledged their concerns and committed to change. Today, that change has begun.”
Dr. Ogbuku explained that as part of confidence-building measures, the commission now includes representatives of the oil companies in its budgeting process, allowing them to propose priority projects in their host communities.
“They are now part of our budget committee. This gives them a sense of ownership and transparency in the process. As they see that we are honoring our promises, they are becoming more responsive. It’s a win-win for everyone—especially the communities,” he stated.
This renewed collaboration has already produced visible results. One of the most prominent is the revival of the long-abandoned 7.1-kilometre Bonny Ring Road project in Rivers State, which is now being executed in partnership with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG).
Other joint initiatives include the ongoing Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa and advanced talks with Chevron Nigeria Limited and the Delta State Government for the construction of the 67-kilometre Omadino–Escravos Road in Warri South-West, Delta State—an infrastructure expected to unlock economic potential in one of the region’s hardest-to-reach oil-producing corridors.
The new approach not only marks a shift in the commission’s operations but also reflects growing national interest in ensuring that oil-rich communities enjoy direct dividends of natural resource exploitation.
For residents in these neglected enclaves, many of whom have lived for decades without critical infrastructure despite being the engine of Nigeria’s oil wealth, the NDDC’s new commitment signals a long-overdue effort to bridge the development gap.
As the NDDC marks 25 years of existence, its leadership says the next chapter will be defined by accountability, impact-driven partnerships, and a people-focused approach to development.