The Niger Delta Development Commission has once again pledged to uphold its role to the continuous engagement of stakeholders to build synergy for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.

The NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, made this statement in a statement released on Monday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, at the special ceremony held in the Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State to honor King Ateke Tom, the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom. The ceremony was organized by the Okrika Council of Chiefs and the people of Okrika.

In order to create a powerful coalition of development partners, Ogbuku, who was aided by Sir Victor Antai, Executive Director of Projects at the NDDC, said that the commission was fostering strong partnerships and interacting with stakeholders including traditional rulers.

“We are emphasising legacy projects, which would leave a lasting impact and transform our environment and the Niger Delta. We are moving away from transactional to transformational development because that is the only way we can renew hope in our people and ensure their sustainable development,” Ogbuku said.

According to the head of the NDDC, the commission had seized the initiative in an attempt to alter history and realize the aspirations of everyone who had battled and was still fighting for a better Niger Delta.

Ogbuku stated that NDDC would fulfil the expectations of Niger Delta stakeholders in seeing “a commission that works in their best interest, and, in doing so, we would drive the vision of all whose dreams of a better Niger Delta region made Niger Deltans warriors for change”.

During the gathering, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of River State, announced the upgrade of the stool of the Amayanabo of Okochiri from second-class status to first-class.