N1.75trn NDDC Budget Under Scrutiny As Reps Demand Tangible Impact

The House of Representatives Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said the Commission’s proposed N1.75 trillion 2025 budget must translate into measurable development outcomes for communities in the Niger Delta.

Chairman of the committee, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, stated this on Tuesday during the NDDC’s budget defence session at the National Assembly, noting that lawmakers would subject the proposal to thorough scrutiny.

She said the budget should be people-focused, transparent and aligned with national development priorities, stressing that the legislature would not treat the exercise as a routine approval process.

According to her, the proposed budget presents an opportunity to address long-standing development challenges in the region and must deliver value to residents of oil-producing communities.

“The NDDC budget represents hope and opportunity for the people of the Niger Delta. Every allocation must be purposeful and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. The committee will insist on accountability, transparency and value for money,” she said.

Ibori-Suenu added that the House would closely monitor implementation to ensure tangible outcomes in infrastructure development, human capacity building, youth empowerment and economic inclusion.

She also noted that legislative support for the Commission would depend on performance and verifiable impact, stressing that communities must see and benefit from completed projects.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr Samuel Ogbuku, presented the Commission’s N1.75 trillion 2025 budget proposal, tagged “Budget of Consolidation.”

Ogbuku said the proposal reflects the reform agenda of the current management and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that it prioritises results-driven and sustainable development.

He disclosed that the Commission adopted a no-borrowing policy for the 2025 fiscal year, leading to a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget.

According to him, personnel costs were pegged at N47.5 billion, overheads at N96.4 billion, while capital expenditure accounted for the bulk of the budget.
Ogbuku further explained that the Commission had shifted from line-item budgeting to sectoral allocations to reduce project delays and improve efficiency.

Reviewing the Commission’s 2024 performance, he said the NDDC recorded N1.945 trillion in actual revenue, exceeding its projected N1.911 trillion.

The budget defence session ended with assurances from both lawmakers and the Commission’s management to strengthen collaboration toward delivering sustainable development and inclusive growth in the Niger Delta.