Niger Delta Council of Chiefs urges NDDC Board to expand Dispute Resolution Directorate
By Yahaya Idris
The Niger Delta Council of Chiefs has commended the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku for hosting an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Conference through the Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution.
The council also urged the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to expand the Dispute Resolution Directorate.
This , they said is part of ongoing efforts by the NDDC to foster lasting peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.
The Dispute and Conflict Resolution Department was established to resolve conflicts, restore peace, and manage communal disputes within the region, recognizing that peace is essential for meaningful development and economic growth in the Niger Delta.
The Council of Chiefs’ appeal emphasizes strengthening this directorate to continue promoting peace and development effectively.
The NDDC has been actively conducting capacity-building programs, engaging stakeholders, and advocating for dialogue and peaceful resolution of conflicts, highlighting the importance of peace for executing development projects in the region.
The Managing Director of the NDDC emphasized that development hinges significantly on sustaining peace and urged communities to embrace dialogue over violence. The expansion of the Dispute Resolution Directorate is expected to reinforce these efforts and provide a broader platform for mediation and conflict management in the Niger Delta
The conference took place on Tuesday, 16th September 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and brought together key peace and security stakeholders and influencers from the Niger Delta region.
Speaking in an interview with Journalists, the National Publicity Director of the Niger Delta Council of Chiefs, High Chief Mathias Efe Olowu, described the program as a huge success in fostering sustainable peace in the region.
Chief Olowu emphasized that the event’s theme, “Transformative Peace and Sustainable Development,” resonated strongly with all speakers, who agreed that Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is vital to achieving these goals.
Chief Olowu urged the commission’s management to broaden the scope of the Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution (DCR) to include a focus on prevention.
He stressed that prevention is better than cure, highlighting that adopting preventive strategies within the department would be more cost-effective and beneficial for the Niger Delta.
The Council of Chiefs believes that prioritizing prevention will enhance peacebuilding efforts and lead to more sustainable development in the region.
“We hereby call on the Management and Board of the NDDC to rename the department as the Department of Prevention, Dispute and Conflict Resolution. It is also our prayer that the commission does not let the success of the program end within the conference hall. Instead, the commission should establish measures to ensure that participants are sustained and commissioned as ambassadors of peace or peace corps in the region.”
Speaking further, Chief Olowu said:, “this all-embracing peace initiative program should be held regularly, at least every three months, to brainstorm and evaluate the state of peace and security in the Niger Delta region. This approach will help maintain momentum and foster ongoing dialogue for sustainable peace.”
