Former President Goodluck Jonathan has blamed the large number of abandoned development projects in the Niger Delta on the constant changes in the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Jonathan made this statement on Saturday during the plenary session of the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebration held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He said that frequent changes in the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the NDDC had made it difficult for projects to be completed. According to him, it was not that NDDC managers intended to abandon projects, but that the short time they had in office made proper planning and follow-through difficult.
“In 25 years, NDDC has had 11 CEOs. That means each person served for just over two years. How can anyone plan or finish major projects in that time?” Jonathan asked.
He explained that because of this short tenure, the commission often ends up relying on contractors instead of long-term development planning.
The former president praised President Bola Tinubu for keeping Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as the current Managing Director of NDDC, saying the decision shows commitment to stability and development in the region.
“Ogbuku was appointed by former President Buhari in November 2022 and assumed office in January 2023. If President Tinubu didn’t care about the region, he would have removed him after taking office in May 2023,” Jonathan said.
He added that leaders who stay longer in office, like former NDDC Chairman Onyema Ugochukwu and former MD Timi Alaibe, were remembered for the positive impact they made — because they had enough time to work.
Jonathan called for leadership continuity in the NDDC, stressing that only stable leadership can bring real and lasting development to the Niger Delta.