Director General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has charged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to deliver sustainable and transformative solutions to the persistent economic and environmental challenges facing the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the NDDC’s 25th anniversary celebration on Saturday, Okonjo-Iweala called for urgent action to address the region’s longstanding neglect and worsening environmental degradation caused by decades of oil and gas exploration.

“If I’m a bit critical in my speech, you know me, I mean it for good. You have done a lot, but you still have a lot more to do,” she said.

She urged the NDDC to focus on the region’s economic development and emphasized that the Commission cannot afford to fail in its mission.

“The goose that lays the golden egg deserves attention in the form of infrastructure and social services to ensure peace and sustainable contribution to the national economy,” she said.

Okonjo-Iweala recounted the establishment of the NDDC in 2000 as a response to the cries of marginalization from the region, which produces the bulk of Nigeria’s oil and gas  resources that account for 90% of the country’s foreign exchange and 70% of fiscal revenue.

She stressed that the purpose of the Commission was to address the region’s challenges including environmental degradation, collapsing infrastructure, and limited economic opportunities  which have fueled frustration and restiveness among locals.

“The environmental impact of oil and gas operations has devastated livelihoods and communities. Without sustainable solutions, this region cannot support the national economy as expected.”

The WTO chief also highlighted alarming statistics:

• Nigeria recorded over 9,343 oil spill incidents in 10 years, compared to just 10 in the EU over four decades.
• Environmental damage from spills, gas flaring, dredging, and land reclamation costs the region $758 million annually, with 75% of the burden borne by local communities.
• Experts warn the region could lose up to 40% of its habitable land in the next 30 years.

“All these challenges threaten not only the region but the nation’s prosperity. The NDDC has a duty to provide lasting solutions and to rebuild the trust and hope of the people,” Okonjo-Iweala concluded.

Her remarks underscore growing calls for transparency, accountability, and innovation in managing the Niger Delta’s resources and restoring its ecological and economic balance.