Agboje Chuks
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) on Thursday reaffirmed its renewed commitment to human-centered governance by providing financial assistance and palliatives to victims of the 2024/2025 fire outbreaks that ravaged communities in Ika South and Ika North-East Local Government Areas of Delta State.
The intervention, carried out in partnership with the US-First Charity Foundation, was held at the Vienna Arena Event Centre, Boji-Boji Agbor, where affected residents gathered to receive relief materials and support.
Chairman of the NDDC Governing Board, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, led the distribution exercise and emphasized that the commission’s leadership is driven by compassion, accountability, and a strong focus on the welfare of the Niger Delta people.
“The new NDDC is about people, compassion and accountability,” Ebie declared. “We are here today to tell the victims: ‘sorry for your loss, wipe your tears.’ This token is our way of identifying with you and easing the pain of your losses.”
Ebie disclosed that the fire disasters affected 67 verified victims, including landlords, tenants, and traders, disclosing that the commission also extended the gesture to victims of similar fire incidents recorded in 2024.
He revealed that four persons lost their lives in the tragedies but had their next of kins present at the event to receive financial support from the commission.
Highlighting the commission’s insistence on transparency, Ebie noted that an additional verification exercise was conducted to ensure no genuine victim was excluded.
He revealed that one previously omitted victim, a young woman, was subsequently added to the beneficiary list.
He explained that beneficiaries were categorized according to the extent of their losses, although, he lamented, “no amount of compensation can quantify a lost life.”
Program Coordinator of the US-First Charity Foundation, Mrs. Onome Osime, commended the NDDC for sponsoring the initiative and offering what she described as a “beacon of hope” to the communities.
Also in attendance was His Royal Majesty Benjamin Ikenchukwu Keagborekuzi I, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, who praised Ebie and Managing Director Dr. Sam Ogbuku for giving a “human face to the NDDC.”
Other community leaders and beneficiaries echoed similar sentiments, describing the relief effort as timely and impactful.
Representing the Director of Education, Health and Social Services, Dr. George Uzonwanne, Mr. Osinachi Elechi extended condolences to the victims and hailed their resilience.
“Together, we can make a difference by showing compassion, care and unity in the face of adversity,” he said.
Ebie expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to people-centered initiatives, citing projects such as the Light Up Niger Delta programme.
He further assured community members that their request for firefighting vehicles and other preventive equipment would be given due attention.
This intervention is a follow-up to the commission’s January 2025 condolence visit after the tragedy of diesel tanker explosion in Agbor, Ika South, which claimed four lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.” He concluded
