ABUJA — The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Tuesday, December 30, appeared before the Senate Oversight Committee for a budget defence session, in a move that underscored renewed commitment to addressing the development challenges of the Niger Delta region.

Chairman of the Senate Oversight Committee on the NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, described the high level of attendance and engagement at the session, despite it holding in the middle of the holiday period as both “encouraging and reassuring”.

“The determination of all parties to attend this session, especially as it held during the holiday period, clearly underscores how seriously we all take the development challenges of the Niger Delta,” Senator Ekpenyong stated.

He noted that public perception of the Commission has shown gradual improvement, attributing this positive shift to enhanced coordination and alignment among key stakeholders, including the NDDC Board and Management, the Ministry of Regional Development, and the Senate Oversight Committee.

“I observed that public confidence in the NDDC is gradually improving, and this is closely linked to better alignment between the NDDC Board and Management, the supervising Ministry, and the Senate Oversight Committee,” he said.

Senator Ekpenyong also expressed appreciation to his colleagues within the Committee and across the National Assembly for their unwavering support, stressing that legislative backing remains central to strengthening the Commission’s performance.

“I appreciate my colleagues in the Committee and across the National Assembly for their consistent support. Under the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the National Assembly remains firmly committed to building a strong, effective, and reform-oriented NDDC,” he affirmed.

Looking ahead, the lawmaker revealed that discussions during the session extended beyond budgetary considerations to structural reforms aimed at ensuring the Commission’s long-term effectiveness. He made a strong case for targeted amendments to the NDDC Act to improve financial sustainability and reduce the Commission’s over-dependence on statutory allocations.

“We must begin to think beyond the present. Targeted amendments to the NDDC Act are necessary to strengthen the Commission’s financial sustainability, reduce over-reliance on statutory funding, and position the NDDC for long-term impact,” Senator Ekpenyong said.

He emphasised that the proposed reforms are in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises accountability, inclusive growth, and institutional efficiency.

“All these efforts align squarely with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. A reformed, accountable, and effective NDDC is essential to inclusive growth, regional equity, and national stability,” he noted.

Reiterating the resolve of the Senate Oversight Committee, Senator Ekpenyong assured stakeholders of the legislature’s readiness to support reforms and work collaboratively to ensure that the NDDC fulfils its mandate.

“As a Committee, we stand ready to support necessary reforms, advance enabling legislation, and work with all stakeholders to ensure that the NDDC delivers real, measurable outcomes for the people it was meant to serve,” he concluded.

The budget defence session marks another step in ongoing efforts to reposition the NDDC as a transparent, responsive, and results-driven institution capable of driving sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.