Former Minister Abubakar Momoh Justifies Scrapping of Niger Delta Ministry to Boost Regional Development Coordination

Abubakar Momoh, former Minister of Niger Delta Development, has voiced his support for the federal government's decision to dissolve the Ministry of Niger Delta Development, describing it as a strategic move to improve regional development coordination across Nigeria.

On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), during a meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu in Abuja, announced the dissolution of both the Niger Delta and Sports Development ministries.

The functions of these ministries will now be handled by newly established agencies, with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) being supervised by the Ministry of Regional Development, which will also oversee other regional development bodies across the country.

Momoh, who has been appointed as the Minister of Regional Development, assured citizens, particularly those in the Niger Delta, that the restructuring will not diminish the region's developmental efforts.
He clarified that the NDDC remains operational and intact under the new ministry and that the change is purely administrative.

"For our people in the Niger Delta region, I would like them to know that this has not removed anything from them. The NDDC is still very much in place under the Ministry of Regional Development, and all other such agencies remain intact," Momoh stated during an interview with State House correspondents.

He explained that President Tinubu's restructuring plan is aimed at centralizing and improving the coordination of regional development initiatives, noting that it will lead to more efficient service delivery across the country.

According to Momoh, the reorganization will help the government better oversee and manage the various regional commissions that address the specific needs of different parts of the country.

The newly established Ministry of Regional Development will now oversee not only the NDDC but also the North West Development Commission (NWDC), South West Development Commission (SWDC), and North East Development Commission (NEDC).

This consolidation, according to Momoh, is a "forward-thinking move" that will enhance the ministry’s capacity and allow it to expand its activities to all regions in need of focused developmental attention.

By restructuring these ministries, the government aims to foster balanced development nationwide, ensuring that no region is left behind while improving oversight and efficiency in executing regional projects.