FG Assures of Speedy Completion of NDDC’s Projects

.Allays fears over new industrial relations policy  

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

The federal government has assured the speedy completion of major giant projects carried out by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in the Niger Delta region. 

Also, it dismissed the fears of organised labour over the new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) 2025, recently approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

This as the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has emphasised the need for a holistic approach to development in the Niger Delta, stating that meaningful progress must go beyond roads and bridges to include economic empowerment and human capital development.

The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh, made the assurance during an inspection of the 2-kilometre double-lane Kaa-Ataba Road with two bridges linking Khana Local Government Area to Andoni LGA of Rivers.

Speaking with journalists during the inspection, Momoh stated that the road project demonstrated the determination of the federal government to develop the Niger Delta region.

He assured that the NDDC will soon complete the road and other major developmental projects in the region.

Momoh who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Regional Development, Dr. Mary Ogbe; the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku; the Executive Director of Projects, Dr Victor Antai, others, assured that the road and bridge project would be completed before the end of this year.

The minister commended the NDDC Board and Management for responding appropriately to the directives of President Bola Tinubu to deliver impactful projects in the Niger Delta region.

He said, “I am pleased that the NDDC is doing very well, which is in line with President Tinubu’s directives.”

The minister observed that the effort to complete the bridge was a reflection of President Tinubu administration’s desire to transform the Niger Delta region.

Also speaking, the NDDC Managing director Dr. Ogbuku, restated the commitment of the Commission to the presidential mandate to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region. 

Ogbuku affirmed that the Commission would do all that was necessary to enable the contractor to complete the project on schedule.

He pledged that the NDDC would adhere strictly to the President’s directive to complete all ongoing regional projects, including roads, bridges, schools, and healthcare facilities.

The NDDC boss noted that concerns were raised about the integrity of the columns because the project was delayed for many years. He said that the problems had been addressed and the project was now moving at a fast pace.

He affirmed, “I can assure you that there’s funding to complete this project, and it will be completed on record time by the end of 2025. We are only praying that the weather will be kind to us.”

The inspection team also visited the ongoing work at the 3.65-kilometre Borokiri-Okrika Road and three bridges at the Okrika, and the Niger Delta Regional Hospital, which specialises in cardiovascular and orthopaedic care, in Port Harcourt.

During his courtesy visit to the Government House in Port Harcourt, Momoh told the State Administrator it was part of a nationwide assessment tour to evaluate ongoing and abandoned NDDC projects, in line with President Tinubu’s directive to complete all such initiatives in the region.

The minister lauded Vice Admiral Ibas for fostering peace and stability in Rivers State, which he observed has attracted investments and revitalised commercial activities.

In his remarks, Ibas called on development partners to expand their interventions in the region by prioritising innovation hubs, industrial clusters, digital centres, and skills acquisition programmes alongside physical infrastructure. 

Ibas said that “Infrastructure remains a major need, but so is social investment, human capital development, and economic inclusion. A bridge that doesn’t lead to opportunities is a bridge half built.”

He stressed that the Niger Delta, endowed with vast natural and human resources, must adopt development models that stimulate regional and national economic growth. 

“We must focus on innovation hubs, industrial clusters, agro-processing zones, digital infrastructure, skill acquisition centers, and youth enterprise development programs,” 

The Sole Administrator praised the NDDC for its longstanding collaboration with Rivers State, citing key projects such as the ongoing Kaa-Taaba Bridge in Ogoni Land, the Borikiri Ring Road in Okrika.

He described these initiatives as “economic arteries” that connect communities and transform lives.

Concerning the new National Industrial Relations Policy (NIRP) 2025, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) had said that the new policy is against the provisions of the country’s constitution and established convention of the International Labour Organisation.

It also accused the government of having ulterior motives for using the new industrial policy to trample on worker’s right to freely protest unfair work conditions.

However, speaking yesterday, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, assured that the new NIRP would bring numerous benefits to Nigeria, such as improved industrial harmony, enhanced productivity, and protection of workers’ rights.

Dingyadi gave this assurance while reacting to the rejection of the new NIRP by the organised labour, which considered the policy an attempt to criminalise strikes and silence the labour unions, as reported in the media.

A statement signed by Head, Information and Public Relations, Patience Onuobia said the minister explained that the policy is the culmination of several engagements of Government, represented by Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, organised labour, represented by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), and employers, represented by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

According to Dingyadi, these engagements spanned nearly seven years, and the final draft of the NIPR policy was validated by the stakeholders in December 2024.

He highlighted the benefits of the policy to Nigeria, including improved industrial harmony by reducing industrial disputes and promoting stable labour relations nationwide, leading to more predictable, peaceful, and structured labour relations across sectors.

The minister explained that by ensuring smooth workplace operations and strengthening tripartite cooperation between government, employers, and workers, the policy is projected to boost productivity and strengthen investor confidence in Nigeria’s labour environment.

He expressed high optimism that the policy will align Nigeria’s industrial relations practices with global benchmarks, particularly those of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), making the country more competitive and attractive to domestic and foreign investments.

Speaking further, Dingyadi said the policy would lead to enhanced social dialogue, since it emphasises the importance of social dialogue in resolving conflicts and building consensus among stakeholders, including regular consultations and negotiations between government, employers, and trade unions.

He said, “The NIRP ensures the protection of workers’ rights, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and the right to collective bargaining, while also addressing issues like gender equality and non-discrimination.

The minister further stated that the policy would serve as a reference point for labour laws, union engagement, and conflict resolution in both public and private sectors, promoting more effective labour relations.