The House of Representatives has approved the 2024 budget for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), amounting to N1.9 trillion.
This decision was reached on Wednesday following a detailed clause-by-clause consideration of the budget report submitted by the Committee on NDDC.
Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, Chairperson of the Committee, presented the report, which was scrutinized by the Committee on Supply, chaired by Deputy Speaker Ben Kalu.
The approved budget includes:
- N38.5 billion for personnel costs,
- N29.2 billion for overhead,
- N8.7 billion for internal capital projects,
- N1 trillion for legacy capital projects funded through borrowings, and
- N835 billion for various other projects.
On the revenue side, the House approved:
- N170 billion as arrears from the federal government,
- N1 trillion from borrowings,
- N324.8 billion as federal government contributions,
- N25 billion from ecological funds, and
- N12 billion from money brought forward.
The House adopted the report without opposition.
Allocation of Projects:
The nine states within the NDDC will receive a total of N1.5 trillion worth of projects, with an additional N284.9 billion allocated to the head office.
Delta State leads with N284.9 billion allocated for projects. The breakdown for other states includes:
- Akwa Ibom: N243 billion,
- Bayelsa: N231 billion,
- Rivers: N225 billion,
- Edo: N155 billion,
- Ondo: N115 billion,
- Abia: N110 billion,
- Imo: N113 billion, and
- Cross River: N87 billion.
This substantial budget aims to drive development and infrastructural projects across the Niger Delta region, addressing long-standing needs and promoting growth in these states.