Niger-Delta youth threatens NDDC over non-payment of monthly stipend arrears

Dennis Udoma

Niger Delta youths, under the “NDDC Youth Internship Programme,” are threatening action against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over nonpayment of monthly stipend arrears.

The youths also plotted to barricade the commission’s offices in their respective states. They planned this before taking action against the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku for refusing to pay their N50,000 monthly allowances over the past five months.

One of the youths, Mr Ovie Owens, spoke shortly after their virtual meeting on Monday. He lamented the commission’s poor handling of the welfare of the NDDC Youth Internship Programme. This issue affects participants in Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, and Delta states.

He queried the rationale the Managing Director, Dr. Ogbuku is withholding the payment for that long, without considering the suffering of the beneficiaries under the excruciating economy.

Mr. Owens however, threatened that if their allowances are not paid, they will begin an operation called “Operation Disgrace NDDC”. This will occur across the region’s offices in the states. They will also take the matter to the National Assembly in Abuja.

“We are making this formal complaint of nonpayment of monthly stipends to beneficiaries of the NDDC Youth Internship programme. Beneficiaries in Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, and other states in the region are affected. We want this issue to be brought to the attention of NDDC management today. They need to respond to our plights.

“For the avoidance of trouble with the youths, let NDDC pay our stipends amounting to five months now. The last time we were paid was January allowance paid on February 10. We demand urgent response to our plights,” Owens added.

A beneficiary from Akwa Ibom expressed concerns. They stated, “I am one of the beneficiaries of NDDC Youth Internship Programme from Akwa Ibom State.

“I had the opportunity to be selected among the youths for this programme. We were promised assistance with monthly stipends of N50,000. The program started very well on January 2025. We all received the first tranche on February 10, 2025. Since then, we have been waiting for over 4 months without receiving any money from the commission.

“All the beneficiaries of this programme are lamenting. They are questioning why the Commission that was established to provide meaningful development is playing pranks with the youths. The Commission is meant to ensure the welfare of the people and youth empowerment.

“We call on the Managing Director of the Commission. We also urge the Chairmen of the National Assembly Committees on the Niger-Delta to come to our aid. The beneficiaries are suffering in this regard.

“We have been quietly waiting for this stipends to be paid. As it stands now, it is clear that the Commission is either joking with the programme. Alternatively, someone has cashed out with the money meant for us. Nobody has come out openly to explain the delays.

“If nothing is done within few days from now, we shall have no choice. We will mobilize ourselves to NDDC headquarters for protest. We should not be taken for granted by the NDDC. They were supposed to cater for the people of the region,” he added.