Gov Diri urges NDDC to consult Niger Delta govs on new projects

Bayelsa Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to consult with governors of the Niger Delta region before embarking on new projects.

This, he believes, will help avoid unnecessary duplication of projects and ensure that resources are used efficiently.

Governor Diri made this statement during the inauguration of a renovated and upgraded cottage hospital and community secondary school in Otuasega Community, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The project, Nigerian Tribune learned, was built and initiated by the NDDC in partnership with the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and is aimed at enhancing healthcare delivery and education in Bayelsa State and other parts of the Niger Delta region.

Speaking further, the governor appreciated the federal government for the several developmental projects executed in the state, especially the three senatorial roads linking coastal communities across Bayelsa State.

He further lauded President Bola Tinubu for the recent award of the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road project, saying that the road was crucial to the development of the state.

The first lady, assisted by the Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, Sen. Diri, and the NDDC board led by the Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, reiterated the commitment of the federal government to providing accessible and affordable health care to rural communities in the region.

While delivering her speech, Senator Remi Tinubu added that the federal government’s focus is significantly to save lives and ensure that the various communities receive prompt medical attention when needed to reduce the health mortality rate in the country.

The first lady, who also flagged off the commencement of the NDDC 2025 free medical outreach and donation of medical equipment to some health facilities in the region, explained that the introduction of the health insurance scheme was specifically designed to cover rural communities that will provide thousands of family with access to affordable and reliable medical care.

She said: “I am honoured to be in Bayelsa State after my first visit, and it is a great delight for me to officially flag off the NDDC medical outreach programme, health insurance scheme and the distribution of school desks, benches, and textbooks in collaboration with the Renewed Hope initiative, the beneficiaries of this programme are the nine states of the Niger Delta region namely: Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Rivers, Edo, Imo, Abia and Ondo states, with Bayelsa State graciously hosting us today.

“The NDDC/RHI collaboration began in 2024 to provide further supports in critical areas of development by empowering communities and improving the quality of lives in the Niger Delta region in line with our renewed hope initiative modelled towards a better life for families.

“You may recall that the NDDC’s earlier interventions in education provided over 45,000 pre-loaded educational tablets and textbooks to primary schools and junior and senior secondary school students in both urban and rural communities in all the NDDC States.

“Also, the NDDC RHI internship scheme has begun disbursing N50,000 monthly stipends to 500 pre-identified beneficiaries for a period of one year in all the nine states through the office of the state first ladies; this is more like a conditional cash transfer.

“Today, the medical outreach programme, which I was told is conducted quarterly, is aimed at delivering special health services directly to the communities; it will address common health issues, provide preventive care, and raise awareness about health concerns that are proportionately affecting rural residents, particularly in the area of maternal and child health.

“In addition, the donation of 11 fully equipped Ambulances along with the supply of personal protective equipment to enhance healthcare delivery and emergency response, health facilities in each NDDC state will be given one ambulance, while Bayelsa and Delta States will be given two ambulances each.”

She stated further: “This contribution significantly aids in saving lives and ensures that the various communities receive prompt medical attention when needed, also the introduction of health insurance scheme that is specifically designed to cover rural communities in the Niger Delta.

“It will provide thousands of family with access to affordable and reliable medical care, that is why the distribution of thirty two thousand school desks and benches to public school will ensure that children learn in more comfortable and conducive environment.

“All these initiatives are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, particularly the priority area of education, health, and social investment, which aimed to build a healthier, more educated, and empowered populace.”

Earlier, the Managing Director of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku, said the essence of the partnership between the Renewed Hope Initiative and NDDC, is to make sure the commission delivers the dividends of development in the areas of health, education, and other social services that affect women, children and the youths in the Niger Delta.

He said for the past month, NDDC has been busy inaugurating road projects in the region initiated by the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.

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