By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has attributed the high number of abandoned projects across the Niger Delta region to the frequent changes in the leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
Jonathan stated this on Saturday at the plenary session of the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebration held in Port Harcourt.
The ex-President also called for continuity in the leadership of the NDDC to ensure that development projects are completed and not left abandoned.
According to him, the regular changes of Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of the NDDC had adversely affected project completion, adding that it has been a problem for development.
The erstwhile Nigerian leader, however, pointed out that the projects were not abandoned because the NDDC managers intended to do so, but rather because frequent leadership changes made it inevitable.
He further stated that when proper planning became unfeasible and time constrained, agencies tend to resort to contractor-driven initiatives, as opposed to planning-based development.
According to him, for over 25 years, the NDDC has had 11 CEOs, meaning that, on average, each served for two years and three months.
“The question is: how can one plan? How can significant projects for the region be completed within two years and three months in office?” he asked.
Jonathan commended President Bola Tinubu for retaining Dr Samuel Ogbuku as the Managing Director of the NDDC, thereby demonstrating his commitment to the development of the Niger Delta.
He noted that the people of the Niger Delta were celebrating because Ogbuku had remained in office since his appointment by the then-President Muhammadu Buhari in November 2022.
He explained that the Managing Director officially assumed duties on Jan. 4, 2023, while Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
“If President Tinubu were not interested in developing the region, he would have removed him and appointed someone else.
“Ogbuku would have spent only five months in office. Nobody would have heard of Ogbuku.
“We remember the former Chairman, Onyema Ugochukwu, and the former Managing Director, Timi Alaibe, because they served for a reasonable period and made impact during their tenure,” he added.