NDDC adopts new SOPs, governance policies, assures completion of 21-Km Imo-Abia-Rivers road

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and Governance Advisory Policies aimed at strengthening institutional efficiency and accountability, even as it assured stakeholders of the timely completion of the 21-kilometre Ehime-Nguru–Aba Branch–Mpam–Umuokirika–Ekwereazu Road linking Imo, Abia and Rivers states.

The twin developments were announced in separate statements issued by the Commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, following a three-day management retreat in Owerri, Imo State, and an inspection visit to the ongoing inter-state road project.

New SOPs to Serve as Commission’s ‘Rule Book’

The adoption of the new SOP and Governance Advisory Policies formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the NDDC Management Retreat held at the Landmark Events Centre, Owerri. The retreat was anchored on the theme: “Consolidating Performance and Repositioning the Commission for Strategic Impact in 2026.”

According to the communiqué issued at the end of the retreat, the SOP and Governance Advisory Policies, as approved by the Commission’s Governing Board, “shall constitute the Commission’s Rule Book and strictly guide all processes and operations within the Commission.”

The retreat was attended by the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; and all Directors of the Commission.

Participants examined operational challenges and institutional bottlenecks, resolving that strict adherence to the SOPs would address issues such as leadership overload and misalignment.

“To significantly reduce cases of leadership misalignment in the Commission, staff shall be deployed to areas of expertise and specific skills gaps in the personnel shall be addressed through staff training and retraining,” the communiqué stated.

The Commission also resolved to establish a clear mentoring system and succession plan in compliance with accountability frameworks, to help staff better understand their roles and align their services with the Commission’s overarching goals.

Strengthening Accountability and Performance

As part of efforts to reinforce discipline and productivity, the communiqué emphasised that the Commission’s performance management systems must clearly define rewards for individuals and teams, while enforcing staff discipline in line with Public Service Rules and the newly adopted SOPs.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (1st right), and the Executive Director Projects, Dr Victor Antai (2nd right) being briefed during the inspection of the 21-kilometre Ehime-Nguru-Aba Branch-Mpam-Umuokirika-Ekwereazu Road, in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

It was further agreed that communication channels within the Commission should be enhanced to ensure proper flow of official communication from the top down, without bypassing superior officers in Directorates, Departments and Units. Regular unit meetings were also recommended to bridge communication gaps.

The retreat underscored the need to empower mission-critical roles, including strengthening State Offices, expanding women empowerment programmes, and instituting proper project sustainability plans.

The Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to institutionalising development planning through the full implementation of the revised Niger Delta Regional Master Plan, anchored on seven pillars derived from the Sustainable Development Goals. Board and Management actions, the communiqué noted, must align with the Master Plan to ensure measurable impact in 2026.

To improve operational effectiveness, the Commission resolved that every staff member must have a clearly defined job description, while post-intervention evaluation would become mandatory to ensure effective feedback mechanisms for projects and programmes.

Revenue Diversification, Clean Energy Focus

In addressing financial sustainability, the retreat agreed that the Commission must explore alternative sources of revenue beyond allocations from the Federal Government and contributions from oil and gas companies. This would involve forging strategic partnerships and leveraging other resources within the region to enable the settlement of legacy debts.

The communiqué further stressed the need for needs assessments prior to project conception to ensure beneficiary ownership and optimal utilisation of facilities.

Monitoring and evaluation, particularly post-project assessments, would receive renewed emphasis. The harmonisation of project data was also identified as critical to determining the status of completed and ongoing projects.

Beyond the social components of its interventions, the Commission resolved to incorporate economic considerations into project planning and explore investments in emerging clean energy technologies as part of a broader strategy for sustainable regional development.

Distinguished resource persons delivered presentations during the retreat, while participants engaged in interactive brainstorming sessions that culminated in the comprehensive set of resolutions.

NDDC Assures Completion of 21-Km Inter-State Road

In a related development, the Managing Director of the Commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, has assured stakeholders that the 21-kilometre Ehime-Nguru–Aba Branch–Mpam–Umuokirika–Ekwereazu Road will be completed in record time.

The strategic road project traverses Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State and extends into Abia and Rivers states, linking three NDDC mandate states and cutting across four Local Government Areas in Imo State — Ahiazu Mbaise, Aboh Mbaise, Ezinihitte Mbaise and Ngor Okpala.

Speaking during an inspection of a section of the road in Ahiauzu Mbaise, Ogbuku expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, noting that the second phase of the project would soon be awarded.

He emphasised the strategic importance of the road in boosting inter-state connectivity and stimulating economic activities across the affected communities. The Managing Director also assured that the Ahiara–Ngor Okpala axis of the road would be awarded to further enhance economic benefits.

Ogbuku, who was accompanied by the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai, thanked the people of Ahiauzu Mbaise for the warm reception accorded to the NDDC team. He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to delivering the project as part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Community Applauds Intervention

Speaking on behalf of the Igwe-in-Council and the people of Ahiazu Mbaise and Ehime Mbano, the traditional ruler of Ihitteaforukwu Kingdom, Eze Dr O. Nwandu, expressed gratitude to the Commission.

He observed that under the current Board and Management, the Niger Delta region had experienced accelerated development and noted that the road had remained non-motorable for about 15 years.

“This corridor is a vital economic and social lifeline, facilitating agricultural activities, trade, inter-community movement and access to essential services,” the monarch said.

“For many years, this road symbolised neglect and hardship. Today, through visionary leadership and timely intervention, hope has been restored.”

Repositioning for Impact

The twin announcements, institutional reforms through the adoption of new governance frameworks and renewed commitment to critical infrastructure delivery, signal what the Commission describes as a deliberate repositioning strategy for 2026.

With a renewed focus on accountability, strategic planning, revenue diversification, stakeholder engagement and sustainable development, the NDDC says it is determined to consolidate performance and deliver measurable impact across the Niger Delta region.