Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has challenged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to deliver sustainable and people-focused solutions to the deep-rooted socio-economic and environmental crises plaguing the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
Speaking at the Commission’s 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala acknowledged the work done so far by the NDDC but emphasized that much more needs to be accomplished to justify its existence and restore hope to the region’s long-neglected communities.
“While I commend NDDC for the projects it has executed, it must be said clearly: the people of the Niger Delta still face significant hardship. The Commission must step up and be the catalyst for lasting transformation,” she said.
The WTO chief underscored the devastating effects of decades-long oil and gas exploration in the region, including widespread environmental degradation, pollution of land and water sources, gas flaring, and the resulting loss of livelihoods.
“This region, responsible for 90% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings and 70% of its fiscal revenue, has suffered from the irony of being rich in resources but poor in development,” she noted.
Okonjo-Iweala stressed that the NDDC was originally created as a direct response to these injustices and was meant to serve as a bridge between the Federal Government and the oil-producing communities—addressing environmental damage, rebuilding infrastructure, and creating economic opportunities.
She warned that unless the NDDC redirects its focus to real development and transparency, the mounting frustrations in the region could continue to fuel unrest, threatening national revenue and economic stability.
“The goose that lays the golden egg must not be ignored. Peace and progress in the Niger Delta are in the best interest of the entire country,” she said.
Environmentalists have long described the Niger Delta as one of the most polluted places on Earth, with over five decades of oil spills, gas flaring, and dredging leaving behind poisoned waters, infertile land, and lost biodiversity.
While Europe recorded just 10 oil spill incidents over four decades, Nigeria reported a staggering 9,343 cases in just 10 years. The resulting environmental damage costs an estimated $758 million annually—with 75% of that burden falling on local communities.
Experts warn that unless urgent action is taken, the region could lose up to 40% of its habitable land in the next 30 years due to coastal erosion and dam-related disruptions.
Okonjo-Iweala’s call comes at a critical time for the NDDC, which has faced years of criticism over mismanagement, stalled projects, and lack of visible impact on the communities it was created to serve.
She concluded with a clear message: “NDDC must rise beyond paperwork and pledges. It must become a true agent of change for the Niger Delta.”
