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NDDC, Ogbuku shine as Minister Momoh gets remarkable reception in Port Harcourt
By John Mayaki
In the embrace of a splendid Port Harcourt dawn, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) headquarters stood adorned in welcome, a mosaic of warmth and effusive hospitality. Yesterday marked a day when Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the acting Managing Director and CEO of the Commission, revealed the depth of his endearment to the diligent workers he presides over—his dedicated workforce.
It was a day etched in memory when the Minister of Niger Delta Development, Hon. Engr. Abubakar Momoh, crossed the threshold into the loving embrace of the NDDC employees, whose hearts resonated with unwavering support and genuine concern for their well-being.
The minister’s purpose in Port Harcourt was as grand as the sunrise, a harmonious convergence of endeavors that led him through the sacred corridors of the NDDC’s headquarters, an inspection of the Eleme section of the East- West Road, a courtesy visit to the esteemed Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and an audience with illustrious traditional rulers, among them were His Majesty, Ohna Sergeant Chidi Awuse, the newly anointed Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs, and the revered His Royal Majesty, King Ateke Michael Tom, JP, Sekuro of Niger Delta and Amanyanabo of Okochiri Ancient Kingdom.
The vibrant collage of this day wove together the aspirations of a region, the vision of a minister, and the dedication of a diligent workforce. It was a chorus of unity and purpose, where the future beckoned with optimism and the bonds of camaraderie grew ever stronger.
In the halls of the NDDC headquarters, a revelation dawned upon the visiting minister, one that spoke volumes about the character and candor of the Commission’s staff. It became evident that these individuals were not practitioners of pretense; they wore their emotions on their sleeves. If they held discontent within, they voiced it with unmistakable clarity, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Yet, as the minister observed, this day was unlike any other. It was a vivid departure from the norm. Instead of the sombre sea of black attire that once symbolized their discontent, the corridors were now awash with an array of vibrant colors. The mourning clothes had been set aside, replaced by hues that painted an altogether different narrative.
Perhaps the most striking testament to their support and goodwill lay in the clock’s unwavering hands. It was a testament to their dedication that they chose to wait until the late hours, enduring well into 7pm, to receive the Minister. Such an act transcended mere duty; it embodied a resolute determination and commitment to see the Managing Director thrive in his endeavours.
In this colourful shift, a profound message was conveyed – a message of optimism, of unity, and of hope for a brighter future. It was a day when the staff of NDDC chose to let their actions speak louder than any words, demonstrating that their allegiance was not just a matter of duty but a genuine desire to see their institution flourish under the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku’s leadership.
Their happiness extends far beyond the realm of mere material comfort for the Honourable Minister. According to the MD, “On your behalf, as their steadfast leader, they radiate joy, not solely due to their well-being, but because of the profound, genuine affection they harbour for me”. This sentiment flows organically, like a river nourished by the collective goodwill of these dedicated workers.
According to the Managing Director, “These dedicated workers are fully prepared to extend the unwavering support you require, Honourable Minister. I can confidently assure you that any past discord between the NDDC and the Ministry will remain in the annals of history during your tenure. We are poised to offer you all the cooperation and assistance you need.”
Ogbuku said it is of paramount significance to underscore that from the day of the Minister’s assumption of office and their initial encounters, the Minister graciously embraced them as his own. According to him, “Consequently, the entire cadre of NDDC directors has unequivocally pledged their solidarity and support to your leadership. This transformative unity represents a profound departure from the previous dynamics within the NDDC”.
The Managing Director reminisces about a time when the NDDC directors held reservations regarding the Commission’s alignment with the Ministry. However, the tides have decisively shifted. He said, “Today, even our veteran directors, who have witnessed the Commission’s evolution, acknowledge that the warm reception you have received is unprecedented. This serves as a testament to the new era unfolding within the NDDC—a paradigm shift characterized by partnerships for success and collaborative efforts with all relevant authorities to foster the much-needed development in the Niger Delta.”
Dr. Ogbuku concluded by extending a heartfelt welcome to you on behalf of the dedicated staff and management of the NDDC, affirming, “Sir, you are warmly welcomed to the NDDC”
The Minister, in his response, expressed his appreciation to all the members of staff and management for the warm reception. He stated, “I am delighted to be in your midst. When we were planning to come to Port Harcourt, I was not informed that I would have such a warm and elaborate session with the staff and management of the NDDC. It was only this afternoon that I was informed about this. Let me say that I am indeed very glad to be with you. As one of those who played a role in establishing the NDDC, it is my first visit to the headquarters after 20 years. Since assuming office, this is the very first place (Port Harcourt) and, by extension, the headquarters of NDDC that I am visiting outside Abuja, and I have not even visited my own place.”
He continued, “Since our arrival, we have visited some of the projects being handled by NDDC, particularly the East-West Road axis from Eleme to petrochemical down to Onne. The state of the road is disheartening, and I have promised that we will do our best to appeal to Mr. President and our colleagues in Abuja to expedite the completion of this road.”
The Minister also praised President Bola Tinubu, saying, “We have a listening president in President Bola Tinubu. Let us all appreciate God for the victory at the Presidential Election Petitions Court. This president is different from his predecessors. He is a politician who is deeply committed to the development of the Niger Delta. The change in the ministry’s name, from Niger Delta Affairs to Niger Delta Development, is a clear indication of his commitment to the region’s development. All that is needed is a little push from the ministry and the region’s leaders for more meaningful development.”
Regarding the Managing Director’s visit a week ago, he remarked, “When the MD visited with his Directors to brief me, the opening paragraph of his speech was about the welfare of staff. I intended to sample opinions from staff to confirm this, but today, I see no need to do so. I can witness it for myself. If an organization’s staff believe that its leadership has done well for them, this is the result. I thank the MD for that but encourage you not to rest on your laurels. The best days are ahead.”
He also appreciated the MD’s transition from acting MD/CEO to substantive MD/CEO, stating, “This is a historic occurrence in the NDDC. I see the MD as a capable leader and navigator. I believe you will leverage this position to do more for the people of the Niger Delta.”
The Minister emphasized the importance of cooperation and said, “For an organization to excel, its leadership must show the way, and the people behind them must be ready to cooperate. With what you have demonstrated here this evening, I have a strong feeling that we need to provide the necessary cooperation to transform NDDC beyond its current state.”
He concluded by stating, “We have come with a renewed hope from Mr. President, with eight presidential priorities, including ending poverty, enhancing security, promoting inclusivity, combating corruption, and developing infrastructure, among others. NDDC will not be exempt from these priorities. We are committed to executing these agenda items for the benefit of the people.”
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Sanwo-Olu, Lai Mohammed, Gbenga Daniel to discuss 2027 elections, insecurity at 7th Freedom Online lecture
Challenges facing the economy and insecurity, especially associated with elections in a developing economy like Nigeria, will be the focus of discussion at the seventh yearly lecture of Freedom Online (www.freedomonline.com.ng) on September 3 in Lagos.
Freedom Online, according to a statement by its Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Gabriel Akinadewo, is focusing on how to tackle insecurity during the lecture “because it has become a monster, threatening to consume the nation-state called Nigeria.
“What does the future hold for Nigeria after the 2027 general elections? How will the election be conducted in a way that will be acceptable to all? Will the outcome lay a solid foundation for the future of the country?
“We believe that actions of politicians, security agents and INEC officials, before, during and after the election will, one way or the other, decide the fate of the more than 200 million Nigerians in this geographical space. Obviously, insecurity, part of which is thuggery during elections, leads to poverty, underdevelopment and other social vices. Nigeria’s political, economic and social fabric is disintegrating because of this time bomb and the outcome of the election will go a long way to decide Nigeria’s future in global affairs”.
Akinadewo said Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is the Special Guest Speaker while former Information & Culture Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, are the Chairman and Special Guest of Honour respectively.
The President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and Editor of Vanguard, Eze Anaba, is the Chief Host.
…Property Enumeration App to drive new land revenue regime
The Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS) has announced a drastic reduction in land use charges payable by property owners across the state as part of measures to encourage tax compliance and broaden the state’s revenue base.
The Chairman of ESIRS, Mr Emmanuel Ekene Nnamani, disclosed this on Monday while briefing journalists on the activities and achievements of the agency in its three years under his leadership.
Under the revised arrangement, property owners in Independence Layout now pay N70,000 annually, while those in Abakpa pay N20,000. Owners of village houses, according to Nnamani, will pay N10,000 annually as land use charge.
Nnamani also announced plans to commence the implementation of a Property Enumeration App, which will facilitate the identification and enumeration of properties across the state and provide a database for the assessment and collection of land use charges.
He said students would be engaged to participate in the enumeration exercise, with each student expected to receive payment on a weekly basis, based on the number of houses enumerated.
According to him, the initiative would help ESIRS establish an accurate property register while creating opportunities for students to earn income through the exercise.
Nnamani explained that the Property Enumeration App would assign identification to properties and their owners, making it easier for the government to determine taxable properties and improve compliance.
He said the exercise was part of ESIRS’ broader strategy to expand the tax net and bring previously untapped sources of revenue into the formal revenue system.
The ESIRS chairman said the agency was also expanding its revenue collection activities to o other areas including haulage fees, land use charges, capital gains tax, stamp duties and withholding tax.
He disclosed that withholding tax would soon become operational in the state, urging individuals and organisations required to deduct the tax to ensure that the deductions were properly remitted to the government.
Giving an insight into the performance of ESIRS under his leadership, Nnamani said the agency had recorded a significant increase in internally generated revenue since 2023.
He said the state generated N37 billion in 2023, rising to N108.5 billion in 2024, while revenue increased substantially to N406.7 billion in 2025, representing tax and non-tax revenues.
Nnamani attributed the growth to the reforms introduced under Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, particularly the autonomy granted ESIRS and the deployment of technology for revenue collection.
He said the agency inherited a system characterised by poorly motivated personnel and fragmented revenue collection, but the autonomy granted by the state government enabled ESIRS to embark on fundamental reforms.
“Our Governor came with disruptive innovation and now it is time to give account,” Nnamani said.
He explained that the autonomy granted to ESIRS was backed by legislation, transforming the agency into a one-stop shop for revenue collection in the state.
According to him, ESIRS moved away from a mono-payment gateway operated through Interswitch and expanded the system to seven payment gateways, including UPS and Flutterwave.
He said taxpayers could now make payments through banks, transfers and more than 300 Point-of-Sale (POS) terminals, including from the comfort of their homes and even during weekends.
The development, he said, had significantly improved convenience and reduced opportunities for revenue leakages.
Nnamani said the agency also embarked on extensive training of its personnel and declared an emergency in which every staff member was required to have access to a laptop or tablet.
He added that ESIRS invested in reliable internet connectivity and solar energy to ensure that its operations were not disrupted by power challenges.
The ESIRS chairman said the agency had also banned cash payments as part of measures to strengthen transparency and accountability in revenue collection.
He said several revenue agencies that previously operated independently had been unbundled and brought under a centralised system, while ESIRS collaborated with relevant unions and revenue agencies to improve its operations.
According to him, the reforms were particularly significant in the informal sector, where revenues were previously paid to non-state actors before the new system was introduced.
Nnamani urged residents and businesses to familiarise themselves with the state’s tax laws, stressing that the agency was not interested in imposing arbitrary taxes but in ensuring compliance with existing legislation.
He said the law provides for certain exemptions, but taxpayers seeking exemption must undertake the required tax filing.
He noted that ESIRS was currently not implementing some provisions of the tax law to their full extent, citing the provision requiring the payment of one per cent of turnover in certain circumstances.
“We are only collecting N36,000 and people are complaining. I’m a tax collector and you have to convince me why you should not pay,” he said.
He urged taxpayers to study the tax laws and understand their obligations rather than evade payment.
The ESIRS boss further disclosed that the state was collecting Development Levy from new construction projects, noting that between 20 and 25 new buildings were being commenced daily across the state.
He said the levy was N150,000 in Enugu North Local Government Area, N100,000 each in Enugu South and Enugu East, N80,000 in Nsukka, while the rate for other local government areas stood at N50,000,”and you must pay to be permitted to commence development of the property”.
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He said ESIRS was also strengthening the collection of capital gains tax, particularly from property transactions, as well as stamp duty.
Nnamani maintained that the objective of the reforms was to create a sustainable and transparent revenue system capable of funding government programmes without placing undue pressure on taxpayers.
The chairman also dismissed concerns that the ongoing tax reforms were designed to frustrate businesses, particularly Igbo traders.
He said the forthcoming implementation of enhanced tax-compliance measures at both the federal and state levels should not be misconstrued as an attempt to shut down businesses.
According to him, the reforms are aimed at ensuring that individuals and businesses fulfil their statutory tax obligations.
“It is not aimed at shutting down Igbo business. People should pay their taxes and not evade it,” he said.
Nnamani said ESIRS would continue to expand the tax net while deploying technology to make payment easier, improve transparency and ensure that revenue due to the state was properly collected.
He said the agency’s ultimate objective was to build a modern revenue administration system in which taxpayers could meet their obligations conveniently while the state would accurately account for every naira collected.
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