RismadarVoice Reporters
September 23, 2026
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to accelerate sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.
The commission made the call on Wednesday at the 2026 Partners for Sustainable Development (PSD) Conference Stakeholders’ Meeting held at the Obi Wali Conference Hall in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The event, themed “Synergy for Transformation: Aligning Regional Development, Local Governance and Sustainable Partnerships in the Niger Delta,” brought together government officials, traditional rulers, development partners, community representatives, women and youth groups, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the meeting, the NDDC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Ogbuku, urged participants to contribute ideas that would improve the commission’s operations and service delivery.
Mr Ogbuku said the progress recorded by the commission over the years was a collective achievement, adding that the 2026 PSD Conference would introduce a stakeholder document to serve as a governance framework for the NDDC.
He said the document would be reviewed by stakeholders, whose recommendations would help the commission serve the region more effectively.
“Stakeholders must actively participate in the discussions and offer ideas that will further improve the operations and service delivery of the commission,” Mr Ogbuku said.
He said the conference was designed to promote dialogue, strengthen partnerships and encourage a coordinated approach to the development of the Niger Delta.
The Director of Community and Rural Development at the NDDC, Theophilus Allagoa, said the meeting would also address overlapping mandates among government agencies.
Mr Allagoa said resolving the issue was necessary to prevent duplication of projects and expenditure in the region.
He urged stakeholders to strengthen collaboration and work towards developing a unified policy framework and development plan for the Niger Delta.
The pre-conference featured a panel discussion moderated by Godknows Boladei Igali, the National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF).
The panel comprised Augustine Ikelegbe, Ibiyekaribo Inko-Tariah, Benjamin Ogbalor and Hilda Dokubo.
During the discussion, the panellists examined issues relating to regional development, local governance and sustainable partnerships, with emphasis on institutional collaboration and the alignment of development priorities.
They also discussed the need to build partnerships capable of delivering lasting impact across the region.
