Gov Diri Asks NDDC to Work With Niger Delta Governors Before Starting New Projects
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has appealed to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to involve governors of the Niger Delta states before starting new development projects. According to him, such consultation will prevent duplication of efforts and help channel funds and resources more effectively. He made this call during the launch of a newly renovated cottage hospital and a secondary school in Otuasega Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.
The projects were carried out through a joint effort between the NDDC and the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). They aim to boost healthcare and education in the Niger Delta, especially in underserved areas like Bayelsa. Diri thanked the federal government for its recent infrastructure efforts, particularly road developments connecting rural areas of the state. He also praised President Bola Tinubu for awarding the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road project, noting its importance for the region’s growth.
The event also had in attendance Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, who highlighted the federal government’s ongoing commitment to bringing health services to rural communities. She flagged off the NDDC 2025 free medical outreach and handed over medical equipment meant to strengthen health care systems in Niger Delta states.
What does the new health programme include?
The new programme includes free medical outreach, a health insurance scheme, and the distribution of learning materials to schools. The First Lady emphasized that the insurance scheme is designed to help rural families access affordable medical care, which will also reduce maternal and child death rates. She also announced the donation of 11 fully equipped ambulances and personal protective gear to support emergency responses in the region.
Remi Tinubu stated that the initiative benefits all nine states of the Niger Delta: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia, and Ondo. Bayelsa State was chosen to host the launch. The NDDC/RHI collaboration, she noted, began in 2024 and has made efforts to support health, education, and youth empowerment. For instance, NDDC had earlier distributed over 45,000 educational tablets and textbooks to primary and secondary schools.
She further shared that the NDDC RHI internship scheme is now giving N50,000 monthly to 500 selected young beneficiaries in each state, coordinated by the state first ladies. This programme serves as a form of conditional cash transfer to help improve livelihoods.
In her remarks, she said: “The medical outreach will offer special health services directly to the communities. It’s all about saving lives and raising health awareness, especially around maternal and child care.” She also spoke about the delivery of 32,000 school desks and benches to public schools, aimed at improving the classroom experience.
All these efforts, she added, align with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is focused on improving health, education, and social development in the country.
The NDDC Managing Director, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission is working hard to bring development to the Niger Delta through a strong partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative. He explained that the recent surge in road project launches across the region is part of the federal government’s plan to transform the area.
Governor Diri’s request for better coordination between the NDDC and state governments is a call for smarter planning. As more initiatives are rolled out under the federal government’s development strategy, stakeholders in the Niger Delta hope that joint efforts will lead to meaningful and long-lasting progress.
