FG Moves To Harmonise Regional Master Plans As Momoh Tasks Development Commissions On Unified Strategy

The Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, has urged all Regional Development Commissions in the country to produce comprehensive master plans modelled after the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for harmonisation into a national regional development compass.

The Minister gave the directive while speaking at the NDDC 2026 Partners for Sustainable Development Conference held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Momoh explained that under the Ministry’s mandate to coordinate regional development, each commission is expected to develop its own master plan and derive its operational agenda from it.

He disclosed that the Federal Government is developing a new policy framework aimed at harmonising all regional development initiatives to ensure coordinated and inclusive growth across Nigeria.

He commended the NDDC Board and Management for hosting the conference, describing it as timely and necessary, and noted that tackling the challenges of the Niger Delta requires collective effort.

According to him, no single institution can address the complexities of the region alone, and sustainable progress depends on how stakeholders plan, invest and work together.

Momoh said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is committed to programmes that expand opportunities, strengthen livelihoods, protect vulnerable groups and guarantee lasting prosperity. He urged stakeholders at the conference to interrogate existing practices, address inefficiencies and forge stronger partnerships.

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, who was represented by his deputy, Mrs Chinyere Ekomaru, called for stronger partnership between governors of the nine oil-producing states and the NDDC to achieve sustainable development. He reaffirmed Imo State’s support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

On his part, the Managing Director of NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, emphasised that stakeholder engagement is central to the Renewed Hope Agenda and essential for driving economic growth in the Niger Delta.

He said effective engagement helps citizens understand government projects and creates room for synergy.

Ogbuku also announced that the 1.2 kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge connecting Khana Local Government Area and Andoni Local Government Area in Rivers State will be named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He stressed the need to build trust and secure buy-in from partners, adding that the Commission has put processes in place to entrench ethics and good corporate governance.

We have a duty to harness resources from stakeholders. We cannot be planning programmes for the region without involving them at the foundational level, Ogbuku stated.

He revealed that global consultancy firm KPMG has reviewed the Commission’s processes to strengthen its governance system, resulting in a robust Corporate Governance structure backed by measurable Key Performance Indicators, KPIs, that promote accountability and transparency.

He added that President Tinubu is keen on legacy projects in the Niger Delta and that collaboration will help leverage collective strengths and prevent duplication of efforts.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Mr Chiedu Ebie, disclosed that the Commission has adopted a new Standard Operating Procedure, SOP, and Governance Advisory Policies approved by the Board, which will serve as its rule book for all operations.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on NDDC, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the Senate will continue to enhance oversight to ensure transparency, efficiency and timely delivery of projects in the Niger Delta.