The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to sustained collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to enhance peace, safeguard critical national assets, and fast-track development across the Niger Delta region.
The assurance was given by the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, when the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku stressed that security and development are inseparable, noting that sustainable development cannot thrive in an environment plagued by insecurity.
“At the NDDC, we have built a strong working relationship with security agencies because security and development go hand in hand. Without security, communities cannot develop, and when communities are underdeveloped, insecurity is bound to thrive,” Ogbuku said.
He explained that the Commission’s support for security agencies aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive to ensure peace and stability nationwide, adding that the Niger Delta has remained one of the most peaceful regions in Nigeria due to sustained security efforts.
“Everything we do in the Niger Delta is in line with Mr. President’s mandate. Security is a collective responsibility involving host communities, government institutions, and agencies like the NDDC,” he added.
Ogbuku assured the Nigerian Navy of the Commission’s readiness to deepen engagement and provide strategic interventions aimed at easing operational challenges faced by security agencies in the region.
“What we have done so far is only a prelude to what lies ahead. We will continue to keep communication channels open and go beyond boardroom discussions to understand realities on the ground,” he said.
Earlier, Rear Admiral Ibrahim commended the NDDC for its visible and impactful development projects across the Niger Delta, describing the Commission’s interventions as evidence of progress under the current leadership.
“Since the assumption of office by the Managing Director, we have witnessed remarkable development across the region, including solar streetlights, inverter installations, naval base infrastructure, and the construction of a secondary school for the Nigerian Navy,” he stated.
Ibrahim also disclosed that the Nigerian Navy recently launched “Operation Sentinel,” an initiative designed to enhance security around crude oil exploration, production, and transportation, in support of national economic goals.
He noted that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) plans to raise crude oil production to 2.5 million barrels per day by 2027, stressing that sustained security collaboration would be critical to achieving the target.
“If this target is met, the NDDC and the people of the Niger Delta will be major beneficiaries through increased development projects,” he said, urging the Commission to expand its support to help strengthen the Navy’s security capacity.
He concluded by calling for a stronger partnership between the NDDC and security agencies to ensure lasting peace, increased oil output, and a positive global image of the Niger Delta.
