The Niger Delta Truth and Justice Defenders (NDTJD) has criticized veteran actress and social advocate Hilda Dokubo over her recent comments blaming the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for the lack of potable water in some communities across the Niger Delta region.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its National Chairman, Comrade Bubaraye Ngonika, the group described Dokubo’s remarks as “reckless, misplaced, and misleading,” arguing that they failed to accurately identify the tiers of government constitutionally responsible for providing basic amenities such as water supply.
According to the group, while access to clean and safe drinking water remains a fundamental right of citizens, the responsibility for providing and maintaining such services primarily rests with state governments and local government councils through their respective water boards and public utility agencies.
The group expressed concern that public figures with significant influence should be careful not to misdirect public anger by assigning blame to agencies that are not directly responsible for the delivery of grassroots services.
“The provision of municipal water supply, primary healthcare, and local feeder roads falls within the statutory responsibilities of state governments and local government councils. These tiers of government receive regular allocations from the Federation Account specifically to address such needs,” the statement said.
The NDTJD accused Dokubo of overlooking the constitutional responsibilities of governors and local government chairmen while directing criticism solely at the NDDC.
The group further noted that several communities in the Niger Delta have benefited from solar-powered water projects and other interventions, but stressed that long-term sustainability of such projects depends on effective collaboration, maintenance, and ownership by local authorities.
Speaking on the mandate of the NDDC, the group explained that the commission was established under the NDDC Act of 2000 as a regional interventionist agency tasked with driving large-scale development initiatives across the Niger Delta.
According to the statement, the commission’s responsibilities include regional planning, construction of major roads and infrastructure, environmental remediation, and human capital development rather than serving as a replacement for state and local government institutions.
The group urged public commentators and civil society advocates to adopt a more informed and balanced approach when addressing developmental challenges in the region.
It maintained that sustainable development in the Niger Delta would only be achieved when all tiers of government are held accountable for their constitutional responsibilities while allowing interventionist agencies such as the NDDC to focus on broader regional development projects.
The statement was signed by Comrade Bubaraye Ngonika, National Chairman of the Niger Delta Truth and Justice Defenders, and dated June 25, 2026.