Akpabio Blames Project Abandonment in Niger Delta on Budget Fragmentation During Jonathan Era

Abuja – Senate President Godswill Akpabio has attributed the failure to complete infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta during former President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to political interference and fragmented budgeting.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary celebration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Akpabio said that lawmakers in previous National Assemblies contributed to the inefficiency by demanding project allocations for their constituencies. This, he explained, led to the division of the NDDC budget into smaller, ineffective portions, limiting the commission’s capacity to deliver tangible development.

“You [Jonathan] could not complete even 10km of quality road for the Niger Delta region; you left behind over 14,700 projects abandoned because of regime change,” Akpabio stated. “And after regime change, it brought with it new projects, new ideas that were never crystallized.”

Akpabio emphasized that the high number of incomplete projects and the instability in NDDC leadership have historically hampered progress. He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for promoting stability and reform within the commission.

He also expressed confidence in the current NDDC leadership under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, describing it as effective and deserving of support.

Highlighting the National Assembly’s role in the commission’s establishment, Akpabio recalled that lawmakers exercised their constitutional powers to override a presidential veto, leading to the enactment of the NDDC Act. He reaffirmed the legislature’s ongoing commitment to supporting the commission’s mandate.

The NDDC, created in 2000, is marking its 25th year of service to the Niger Delta region.

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