Calabar—The representative of Cross River State on the governing board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Rt. Hon. Orok Otu Duke, has declared that Cross River state will eventually produce the Managing Directorship of the Commission, regardless of its current oil production status.
Speaking at the recent commissioning of the NDDC’s ultra-modern state office and other projects in Calabar, Duke stated that Managing Directorship of the NDDC rotates among member states according to the Act and assured that Cross River’s turn would come.
“The NDDC Chairman will rotate among the states of the Niger Delta, which means that after Bayelsa, we are going to have a turn. One day, it will come to Cross River whether we have zero production of oil or not,” Duke said, emphasizing the importance of local political organization in national representation.
He also urged citizens and political actors in Cross River to remain vigilant and engaged in the national political discourse, stressing that “politics is local” and representation matters.
In a display of federal presence and grassroots impact, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Friday commissioned a series of landmark projects in Calabar, Cross River State, as part of a multi-state project rollout commemorating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second anniversary in office.
The projects include the commissioning of the ultra-modern NDDC Cross River State Office, the allegedly rehabilitated 8.137-kilometre network of roads across Calabar South and Calabar Municipality, and the flag-off of the first phase distribution of handheld tiller machines to farmers across the Niger Delta.
Speaking at the well-attended ceremony held at the new state office along Murtala Muhammed Highway, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the occasion as a “symbol of transformation” and a break from the commission’s checkered history of abandoned and transactional projects.
“This is no longer the era of transaction but of transformation,” said Dr. Ogbuku.
“What you see here is part of a deliberate strategy by the board and management to institutionalize the Commission in each of the nine Niger Delta states. The Calabar office is not a rented apartment—this is a permanent structure, owned by the Commission.”
The MD emphasized that similar state offices were being commissioned in Bayelsa, Delta, and Edo States, while assuring that Cross River would continue to benefit from the Commission’s development agenda as long as peace is maintained and communities remain receptive to federal policies.
Roads, Agriculture, and the Renewed Hope Agenda...
Also speaking, Executive Director of Projects, Victor Antai, described the commissioning as a testament to President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” mantra, with the NDDC serving as a vehicle for infrastructure and agricultural transformation in the region.
“We are not just giving farmers tillers; we are equipping them to fight poverty and increase productivity. Agriculture remains a cornerstone of our economy,” Antai said.
He lauded the Commission’s collaboration with stakeholders and local communities and praised the state government for providing a peaceful environment for project implementation.
Cross River Government Applauds Initiative...
In a show of state-level collaboration, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, was represented by the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Hon. Pius Ankpo, who conveyed the administration’s appreciation for the Commission’s support.
“The NDDC remains a key partner in our development efforts. We welcome this investment and hope it fosters more synergy,” he noted.
Cultural Display and Community Involvement...
The event also featured traditional performances from the Cross River State Cultural Troupe, notably the Abang Ekombi Dance, adding local flavour to the ceremony. Community representatives, including youth leaders and traditional chiefs from the Ikot Ansa and Nyaghasang Qua Clans, were present to show support and gratitude for the interventions.
Projects Commissioned
The key projects commissioned during the ceremony include:
*NDDC Cross River State Secretariat (permanent site)
*Alleged 8.137 KM network of roads in Calabar South and Municipality
*First phase distribution of handheld tiller machines to farmers.
In respect of the alleged 8.137 KM of road, there was a brief row between the NDDC and the Calabar Municipality as well as Calabar South Local Councils authorities as the executive chair of the municipal area, James Anam, argued that NDDC did not rehabilitate the said road network, according to him, the construction at Nyaghasang is a state government initiative.
Looking Ahead...
The NDDC stated that the Calabar event is the kickoff for a broader project commissioning tour across the Niger Delta, with upcoming stops in Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, and Rivers States.
“We are not competing with state governments—we are complementing them,” Dr. Ogbuku emphasized.
The Commission reiterated its readiness to partner with governors, local councils, and development stakeholders across the region to improve infrastructure, agriculture, and human capacity.
Present at the event were the Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, members of the 10th National Assembly’s committees for Niger Delta, members of the NDDC board, management and staff, traditional rulers and the general public.
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