Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi gave the assurance in a statement issued to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

He said the projects would be sited in states such as Cross River, Delta, Ondo and other “affected” states and called for calm.

“NDDC published a list 375 infrastructural projects in three national newspapers as part of ongoing process to implement the 2016 NDDC budget, which the present Governing Board and Management inherited.

“Since that publication, it has come to our attention that a few ethnic nationalities have raised concern about the list of projects advertised.

“While we understand and appreciate these concerns; the commission wishes to state categorically that there is no attempt to exclude any ethnic group, area or community from its development initiatives.

“For avoidance of doubt, the commission is in the process of advertising additional projects, which contains projects in these areas, particularly in Cross River, Delta, Ondo and other affected states.

“This publication will be made soon as all necessary checks are concluded to avoid incidences of project duplication with other agencies,” he said.

Amu-Nnadi said it was policy of the new governing board to address all development needs of communities with focus to equitably distribution of projects as enshrined in the NDDC Act of 2000.

He said that the commission was determined and prepared to partner and work with all groups to facilitate and accelerate sustainable development of the region.

The spokesman urged stakeholders to engage the commission constructively while it addresses their grievances and concerns. (NAN)