By Rita Enemuru, Reporting
ANYONE who passed through Airport Road in Warri last Thursday could easily testify to the gridlock that held commuters hostage a day earlier, and continued into Thursday morning. The usually free-flowing stretch of the road had transformed into a chaotic spectacle of honking vehicles, flashing sirens, and anxious and overambitious drivers craning their necks to catch a glimpse of what was happening ahead.
The cause of the unusual traffic was no mystery; it was the inauguration of the magnificent new office complex of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The event, which drew the crème of the Niger Delta and beyond, turned the once-busy road into a sea of vehicles.
The edifice
It was a dramatic sight to behold. Convoys of dignitaries snaked through the traffic as drivers, in their hypocritical show of loyalty, ignored the impatience of other motorists to park in the middle of the road to drop off their “ogas.” Security details barked orders as journalists of different media houses scurried with cameras and note pads to get the best of the event.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and importance. From top politicians and traditional rulers to federal ministers, lawmakers, commissioners, journalists, and even street boys – everyone seemed to have found a reason to be at the grand occasion. The ambience could easily be mistaken for a political rally rather than a project inauguration.
The minister of Regional Development and others
Before the official start, the air was filled with rhythmic beats and ululations from Urhobo traditional dancers who stole the show in their immaculate white wrappers, coral beads, and powdered bodies that shimmered under the hot midday sun. Their graceful steps and chants echoed the cultural pride of the Delta people. A young man also took it, albeit unsolicitedly, upon himself to not let the melodious gospel tunes ebbing from the giant speakers, waste away as he was drenched in sweat doing the frenetic Urhobo cultural dance.
Cameramen, reporters, and bloggers lined up shoulder-to-shoulder, eager to capture every detail. It seemed that anyone who had ever held a camera in Warri was there.
At one point, a brief altercation among security personnel nearly stole the spotlight as tempers flared and shoves were exchanged: a reminder that even at grand occasions, emotions, if not well-managed, can run high.
The main event started in the afternoon shortly after the voices of crowds shouting “the working governor” pierced the atmosphere on the arrival of the governor of Delta State, Hon Sheriff Oborevwori.
With the sun heating down on the earth like an oven will do a baking cake, newsmen and paparazzi alike mounted the front of the stage in preparedness to take into account the activities of the day. You could hear legs shuffling on the red carpet spread across the entire landscape where giant and sprawling canopies were mounted.
Dr Ogbuku speaking
First to speak was the erudite Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Chief Samuel Ogbuku who said that the office complex was motivated by the principles of the Renewed Hope Agenda, spurred by President Bola Tinubu with directives from the minister of Regional Development.
According to him, some months earlier, the commission could only boast of two inherited state offices – one in Rivers State and the other in Imo State, as other states have rentes offices to carry out the commission’s activities.
But on that auspicious day, he said that the commission has multiplied those offices to complex buildings as the edifices have been inaugurated in Cross River, Bayelsa and now another in Delta State.
Aside from these buildings, he added that the commission has several projects that have been completed and some still ongoing, awaiting inauguration. Among these projects, he mentioned a 700-bed hostel building in Niger Delta University in Bayelsa and an 8.5-kilometer road that has a bridge of about 250 metres awaiting inauguration in Akwa Ibom State.
He said: “NDDC is being motivated by the principles of renewed hope, spurred by Mr President with directives that are being given to us by the minister of Regional Development.
“When we took over NDDC, today we are talking about state offices. Apart from the head office, NDDC had just two state offices of its own. The one in Rivers State which is a prototype of this, and the one in Imo State which NDDC inherited. The other states were renting offices. And when we say that we are moving from transaction to transformation, we need to have our own offices. So, we inherited two state offices and today, we’ve been able to multiply it. We inaugurated the Cross Rivers State office fully owned by NDDC and the Bayelsa State office, fully owned by NDDC and today, we are here to inaugurate the Delta State office fully owned by NDDC.
“This is outside other projects that we’ve carried out within this period. We are starting the inauguration of this project as a series of inauguration of projects in correlation with our second year anniversary as a board.
Senator Ned Nwoko
“After this project, we will move to Bayelsa State where we are also going to inaugurate a 700-bed hostel building in NDU which I’m sure is one of the biggest hostel buildings in this country. That is a landmark edifice that this administration is also going to inaugurate.
“From there, we will go to Akwa Ibom to inaugurate another 8.5 kilometers road that has a bridge of about 250 metres. We have other series of projects which we want to inaugurate. It would have been more, but due to the rain that has really distorted construction, most of our contractors have been slow because of the heavy rain within this period.
“But I want to assure you that we are going to take advantage of the dry season that is coming, so that by the time we get to the first quarter of next year, we will have bigger and better projects to inaugurate to the glory of God and to the use of the people of the Niger Delta.
“For us in NDDC, we are not a government, but an interventionist agency working to complement what the state governors are doing.I stand here to tell you that Mr President has funded NDDC more than any other president in Nigeria. That is why people see that NDDC is working.”
After his speech, the Chairman of the seventh Governing Board of the NDDC, Chiedu Ebie Esq., gave his remarks.
He appealed to Governor Oborevwori to consider their partnership on the Escravos-Warri Road project as it will be beneficial to the people of Delta State, especially those in the riverine communities.
“As a board, we provide a policy direction for the management team to implement. We have done this by working with different bodies to put together government documents that should serve as a guide to not just the board but also the management in the implementation of the day-to-day activities. It has been approved by the board and the former nudge of that document will be done very soon.
The NDDC edifice
“Here in Delta State, we look forward to partnership with you so that the Renewed Hope Agenda and the MORE agenda which are now infused into one can bring the dividends of democracy to our people of Delta State.
“As a major project, preliminary discussions have already commenced between NDDC, the state government and Chevron. I believe in the recent past, our managing director met with you to discuss the possibility of partnership on the Escravos-Warri Road with Chevron Nigeria Limited. We also engaged in a preliminary meeting with Chevron and we are waiting and hoping that we would hear from them.
“We appeal to you to also consider that because we know that is an important thing that we all know will be beneficial to the people of Delta State, especially people in the Riverine communities.
“This office complex is to ensure that we provide a conducive environment for our staff to deliver in their day-to-day activities. Delay is reduced and to ensure that contractors who are working with us, are able to get their documents processed within the shortest possible time.”
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh at the occasion on Friday in Warri
During his speech, the Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh, said that it was a marching order from the president for the commission to complete all abandoned projects in the Niger Delta, which he carried out by identifying such projects and completing them.
“I want to say that when we assumed office, it was a marching order from the president that there are too many abandoned projects in Niger Delta and that we must do something to complete the projects. I had to summon the management and the board and I had to pass down the information, letting them know that all the projects should be identified and completed.
“That was how we went to inaugurate the electricity in Okitipupa, serving about five to seven local government areas that haven’t gotten electricity for 15 years. That was how we went to inaugurate one of the roads in Akwa Ibom, and a number of roads in Abia and Imo states.
“A month or two months ago, I went to see for myself, the 1.2 kilometers bridge which has been abandoned for a long time which NDDC had taken up and has been given a marching order that the bridge must see the light of the day in the next one year so that it can be inaugurated by the president. We also visited Okrika Bridge and also a medical centre in Port Harcourt.
Dignitaries at the event
“NDDC is for everybody in Niger Delta. It’s not only for the clique of people who believe that it has to be turn-by-turn. I believe that has been the bane of NDDC in the past.
“I want to commend NDDC because, apart from this project, we have witnessed a series of other projects. Every year, NDDC sends nothing less than 200 to 300 students of the Niger to foreign post-graduate studies. Apart from this, there are a lot of other programmes.
“I want to advise the staff of NDDC in Delta State to make sure you take this property as your own; ensure that it is properly maintained and the facilities are not vandalised,” he appealed.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori speaking
After he spoke, Governor Oborevwori was invited to the podium to give a brief remark before officially inaugurating the building. In his remarks, the governor said that the edifice showed the commission’s commitment to the development, inclusion and real service to the people of Delta State.
He also appealed to the NDDC for a partnership with the state government so that hitherto deplorable and nightmarish federal roads across the Niger Delta region can be fixed.
He also urged members of the staff of NDDC to do everything in their power to maintain the building and its facilities and keep them in good condition.
“I am happy to be with you today to inaugurate the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) office in Warri. This is not just about opening a new building. It shows our commitment to development, inclusion and real service to the people of Delta State. This building you see here also shows a new sense of presence, purpose and partnership as it reminds us that development should not be far from the people.
“As you know, development is a continuous journey that needs new ideas, collaboration and a strong spirit of service. Let us therefore, open our minds to attracting more projects to our state. Projects such as roads, proper schools, well-equipped hospitals and programmes give our people hope and dignity.
“In this regard, I appeal to NDDC, let us work together to fix federal roads in our region. These roads have been a lot of issues as people are not too happy. It has been a nightmare and that was the reason I made the decision to award the Warri-Sapele Road from the Spare Parts Markets U-Turn to Ovworhe Junction and that project is costing the state N35.7 billion.
“These roads serve us in the South South region. The Uvwie Road area is a gateway to Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross Rivers. So, it is very important to all of us, not only to us in the Niger Delta Region but also to Nigeria.
Oborevwori cutting the ribbon
“I call on NDDC, all the seven boards of NDDC, I believe we can partner together to see how we can fix these roads. Because the users of these roads are not from Abuja, they are the people living in this region and state. I believe that we will be able to work together to see how we can fix some of these roads.
“On the issue of the Omadino, Okerenkoko, Escravos Road, Delta State is ready to partner with NDDC and Chevron. Delta State is not afraid to take on any project. We are ready and I have spoken to the Managing Director and by first week of next month, we will invite the management of Chevron and see how we will go about that road. This government will support partnership whether at regional or national level to ensure that development is not just on the paper but felt in every community. We will continue to uphold accountability, transparency and service delivery.
“To the management and staff of NDDC, you can see that the project is very beautiful; I urge you to take care of it. It is your project and the maintenance lies on you people. I want to commend the managing director of NDDC for completing this strategic office facility. Your leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of our region is exceptional.
“I know that all the states in the region are important but I want to state that we are here today because we are major contributors to the centre.
Traditional rulers and chiefs at the event
“MD, you have also exhibited resilience and key foresight into ensuring that the policies of the NDDC are felt throughout the region. With this office now active, the NDDC shall work closer with our people to respond faster to their needs.
“I want to also appreciate the president, President Bola Tinubu for his policies and programmes under the Renewed Hope Agenda which has restored confidence in governance and has promoted a sense of unity. I believe that if the policies are not working, we will not get money. We are having more money in the state now. No state governor will complain that they don’t have money. Delta State is not owing any contractor. We have not borrowed a dime and we are not going to borrow by the Grace of God. Our 2026 budget will be over 1.5 trillion by the Grace of God,” he boasted.
Oborevwori cutting the ribbon; by his left is the Minister of Regional Development
After his remarks, along with ministers, lawmakers, top ranking officers of the NDDC and royal fathers, Oborevwori proceeded to cut the ribbon off the building in front of flashing cameras and flying drones and dancing mascots! The Unique Ladies for Sheriff Oborevwori, in their usual flamboyant attire and flags, occupied the dancing stage to the admiration of quests. It’s their own form of hustle!
After the ribbon-cutting ritual, guests were led on a tour of the building, which boasts modern facilities, conference rooms, an apartment for soldiers quarding the edifice and a spacious car park, among others.
The atmosphere remained lively and infectious as cultural dancers entertained guests with traditional music and contemporary gospel and secular songs.
As the crowd gradually dispersed, the rhythm of drums and the chatter of jubilant guests lingered in the air. The newly inaugurated building stood gigantic and radiant; its glass walls glinting under the afternoon sun – a proud symbol of renewed commitment to regional growth and transparency.
For the people of Warri and the Niger Delta at large, the event represented more than an architectural milestone. It was a reaffirmation of their place in the national conversation about development, inclusion, and accountability. Many attendees expressed optimism that this new edifice would mark a new chapter in how government projects are conceived and delivered in the region.
By the time the last dignitary’s convoy snaked out of Airport Road, the echoes of celebration still hummed in the distance. The commissioning may have ended, but for the Niger Delta people, the hope of transformation – the kind that reaches every village and community, had just been rekindled.
Observers have, however, questioned the huge sums spent on the inauguration ceremony, noting that state funds used to fuel government convoys from Asaba, Port Harcourt, and Abuja — including those of idle local government chairmen — could have been better directed towards addressing pressing public needs. They argued that the money could have helped feed the hungry, repair the deplorable roads leading to the venue, support parents who have withdrawn their children from school, and assist the bedridden who cannot afford medical care.
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