Former President Goodluck Jonathan has identified the constant turnover of leadership at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as the primary reason for the high number of abandoned projects in the region.
He made this observation during the plenary session of the NDDC’s 25th-anniversary celebration held in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Jonathan emphasised that frequent changes in the commission’s leadership have disrupted project continuity, making it difficult to complete development initiatives.
He clarified that the abandonment of projects was not due to deliberate neglect by NDDC managers but rather the unavoidable consequence of rapid leadership transitions. According to him, such instability forces agencies to adopt contractor-driven approaches rather than well-structured, long-term development plans.
The former president highlighted that the NDDC has had 11 chief executive officers in 25 years, averaging just two years and three months per tenure. “How can meaningful projects be completed within such a short timeframe?” he questioned, stressing the need for stable leadership to ensure proper planning and execution.
Jonathan commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining Dr. Samuel Ogbuku as NDDC Managing Director, a move he said reflects Tinubu’s commitment to the Niger Delta’s development. Ogbuku, originally appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2022, assumed office in January 2023 and has remained in his position despite the change in administration. Jonathan noted that if Tinubu had replaced him, Ogbuku’s tenure would have lasted only five months, making little impact.
Goodluck Jonathan cited past leaders like Onyema Ugochukwu and Timi Alaibe, whose extended tenures allowed them to make significant contributions. Jonathan urged sustained leadership stability in the NDDC to ensure the completion of critical projects and meaningful progress in the region.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
