Photo: Governor Bassey Otu with the committee
By: Nkechi Njoku
The joint National Assembly Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has commended Cross River State Governor, Bassey Edet Otu, during an oversight visit to assess ongoing development projects across the state.
The delegation, made up of members of both chambers of the National Assembly, was received on Monday at the State Executive Council Chamber in Calabar.
The visit forms part of the committee’s constitutional mandate to evaluate the performance, transparency, and impact of projects executed under the NDDC framework.
Welcoming the lawmakers, Governor Otu expressed appreciation for their commitment to accountability, describing legislative oversight as critical to national development. He noted that such engagements strengthen collaboration between federal institutions and state governments, ultimately improving governance outcomes.
The governor also acknowledged the impact of federal interventions in Cross River, stressing the need to sustain and properly implement them for the benefit of citizens.
He underscored the importance of collective responsibility in governance, urging stakeholders to prioritise results that translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on NDDC, Asuquo Ekpenyong, said the visit was aimed at ensuring that projects funded with public resources deliver value and align with the development objectives of the federal government under the Renewed Hope Agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Ekpenyong commended the governor for strides recorded in infrastructure and economic development, noting that his administration has demonstrated purposeful leadership and effective stakeholder engagement.
He added that the committee remains committed to working with relevant partners to address challenges, accelerate project delivery, and maximise impact.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, highlighted progress on key infrastructure projects in the state.
He disclosed that the commission is executing a 27-kilometre road network across Cross River, with 10.7 kilometres already completed, attributing the progress to strong collaboration with the state government.
The oversight visit is part of ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to strengthen monitoring of development initiatives in the Niger Delta, with a focus on ensuring accountability, efficiency, and sustainable growth in the region.
