By Gift ChapiOdekina, Abuja

ABUJA — The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday presented a proposed N1.75 trillion 2025 budget, signalling a decisive shift from transactional governance to a results-driven, transformational development strategy for the oil-producing Niger Delta region.

Presenting the budget estimates before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Mr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the proposal, themed “Budget of Consolidation,” is aimed at strengthening the foundations for sustainable economic growth, deepening accountability and accelerating infrastructure delivery across the region.

Ogbuku said the budget reflects the reform agenda of the current management and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the Commission deliberately adopted a no-borrowing approach, accounting for a nine per cent reduction from the 2024 budget.

“This administration has moved from being transactional to transformational, and transformation must be practical,” Ogbuku said. “Our interventions are now all-encompassing — from youth training and entrepreneurship support to infrastructure and broad-based development.”

Reviewing the Commission’s performance in 2024, Ogbuku disclosed that the NDDC exceeded its revenue projections. While an aggregate revenue of N1.911 trillion was projected to fund the 2024 “Budget of Renewed Hope,” the Commission recorded N1.945 trillion in actual revenue as of October 31, following the extension of the budget implementation period to December 31, 2025.

He explained that the 2024 budget comprised N76.77 billion for overheads and N1.820 trillion for capital expenditure, underscoring the Commission’s focus on development projects rather than administrative costs.

For 2025, Ogbuku said the Commission has scrapped the controversial line-item budgeting system, replacing it with sectoral allocations to eliminate delays that previously stalled project execution and discouraged contractors.

Under the proposal, personnel costs are estimated at N47.5 billion, while overhead costs stand at N96.4 billion. He added that new performance management frameworks have been introduced to strictly regulate spending, with only programmes tied to measurable outcomes approved.

Capital expenditure, he said, remains the cornerstone of the budget, with priority given to critical infrastructure projects to be delivered through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to ensure sustainability and long-term value.

At a parallel budget defence session, Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, warned that the 2025 budget would not be treated as routine.

“The NDDC budget represents hope, opportunity and the promise of a better quality of life for our people,” Ibori-Suenu said. “Every line item must be purposeful, people-centred and aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. This Committee will insist on accountability, transparency and value for money.”

She stressed that the House would subject the budget to rigorous scrutiny to ensure tangible outcomes in infrastructure development, human capacity building, youth empowerment and economic inclusion, while pledging continued legislative support for the Commission’s reform efforts.

In his closing remarks, Ogbuku commended the 10th National Assembly for its “patriotic resolve” and assured lawmakers of the Commission’s commitment to deepening collaboration in delivering inclusive growth across the Niger Delta.

“It is with great pleasure that I lay before this Committee the 2025 Budget Proposals of the Niger Delta Development Commission,” he said.