- The NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku(right) presenting a plaque to the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim (left), during a courtesy visit at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt
Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, Feb.06
PORT HARCOURT – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has pledged to ramp up its strategic partnership with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to safeguard critical national infrastructure and pave the way for unprecedented regional growth.
The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, underscored the vital link between safety and prosperity during a high-level meeting with the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, at the Commission’s headquarters.
Security: The Foundation of Development
Addressing the naval delegation, Dr. Ogbuku made it clear that the NDDC’s mission to transform the Niger Delta is impossible without a stable environment.
”Security and development are intertwined,” Ogbuku stated. “Without security, communities cannot develop, and when communities are underdeveloped, insecurity is bound to thrive.”
The Managing Director highlighted that this collaborative approach aligns directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mandate to ensure peace across Nigeria.
He noted that the Niger Delta currently stands as one of the country’s most peaceful regions—a feat he attributed to the synergy between the government, host communities, and security forces.
Eyeing the 2.5 Million Barrel Goal
The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the Nigerian economy. Rear Admiral Ibrahim revealed the launch of “Operation Sentinel,” a naval initiative designed to protect crude oil exploration and transport.
With the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) aiming to hike production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027, the Navy is calling for sustained support to meet these targets.
Success on this front would see a direct surge in funding for NDDC projects and local community development.
Rear Admiral Ibrahim praised the “visible and impactful” work led by Dr. Ogbuku, citing several key NDDC-funded projects that have bolstered naval operations and local life, including:
Solar streetlights and inverter installations.
Critical infrastructure at naval bases.
Construction of a new secondary school for the Nigerian Navy.
”It is not enough to sit in boardrooms; we must see realities on the ground,” Dr. Ogbuku added, promising that the Commission would continue to provide strategic interventions to ease the operational hurdles faced by officers in the field.
As the NDDC moves to deepen these ties, the message is clear: a secure Niger Delta is not just a regional win, but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic future.
