Minister Momoh And Admiral Ibas Discuss NDDC Projects To Boost Niger Delta Development.
The Honourable Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, FNSE, met with the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd.), on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at the Government House in Port Harcourt to strengthen collaboration on transformative infrastructure projects in the Niger Delta. The courtesy visit followed the Minister’s inspection of key initiatives spearheaded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), aimed at enhancing connectivity, commerce, and healthcare in Rivers State.
During his tour, Minister Momoh assessed the progress of several high-impact projects, including the Kaa-Ataba Road and Bridge connecting Khana and Andoni Local Government Areas, the long-delayed Okrika-Borikiri Bridge, and the state-of-the-art Niger Delta Regional Hospital in Port Harcourt. These initiatives, described as vital to regional development, are designed to improve access to essential services and stimulate economic growth. The Minister praised the peaceful environment in Rivers State, attributing it to Admiral Ibas’s leadership. “I commend Admiral Ibas for the atmosphere of peace that now reigns in Rivers State. It is this stability that allows us to execute meaningful projects that directly impact the lives of our people,” Momoh said.
Admiral Ibas, a retired Vice Admiral and former Chief of Naval Staff, reciprocated by expressing gratitude to the Federal Government for its renewed focus on the Niger Delta. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the NDDC and ensuring the timely completion and sustainability of these projects. “We are fully aligned with the Federal Government’s vision and will provide all necessary support to see these initiatives succeed,” Ibas assured.
The discussions underscored a shared commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises sustainable development and economic empowerment. Admiral Ibas highlighted the need for a holistic approach, advocating for innovation hubs, industrial clusters, and skills acquisition programmes alongside physical infrastructure to drive long-term growth. He described projects like the Kaa-Ataba Bridge and Okrika-Borikiri Bridge as “economic arteries” that connect communities and transform lives.
The Minister’s visit, accompanied by NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and senior officials, was part of a nationwide assessment to evaluate ongoing and abandoned NDDC projects, following President Tinubu’s directive to prioritise completion. Momoh lauded Rivers State’s stability under Ibas’s leadership, noting that it has attracted investment and revitalised commercial activities.
This collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Regional Development and the Rivers State administration signals a promising era of progress for the Niger Delta, rooted in partnership and purposeful development. As these projects near completion, they are expected to deliver tangible benefits, fostering connectivity and prosperity across the region.
