On August 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the appointment of a new Board and Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC. The new board has Chiedu Ebie as its chairman, and Samuel Ogbuku as managing director and chief executive officer.
The NDDC has been in the news lately for all the wrong reasons. The commission, which was established to address the developmental needs of the Niger Delta region, has been plagued by allegations of corruption and mismanagement. The appointment of a new board presents an opportunity for the NDDC to turn a new leaf and fulfil its mandate.
The task before the new NDDC board is a daunting one. The commission has been accused of misappropriating funds meant for the development of the region. This has led to a lack of basic infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and potable water in the region. The new board must, therefore, ensure that funds allocated to the commission are used for their intended purpose.
In our opinion, one of the first things the new board must do is to conduct a thorough audit of the commission. This, will help to identify areas where the commission has failed in its mandate and where improvements can be made. We suggest that the audit should cover all aspects of the commission’s operations, including financial management, procurement, and project implementation. A tall order though considering the gargantuan rot.
The new board must also ensure that the commission operates in a transparent and accountable manner. This means putting in place mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the commission’s activities. This will ensure that its budget is made public and accompanied by a regular reporting on how funds are spent.
The issue of corruption has been a major challenge for the NDDC. The new board is, therefore, expected to take steps to root out corruption in the commission. This includes putting in place measures to ensure that contracts are awarded transparently and that there is no favouritism or nepotism in those processes.
Similarly, we urge the board to consider it important to ensure that there are consequences for any staff or contractors found to be engaged in corrupt practices.
Another key area that the new board must focus on, in our considered opinion, is project implementation. The NDDC has been criticized for not completing projects or for completing them poorly. The new board, therefore, owes itself a duty to ensure that projects are completed on time and to standards stipulated in the contractual terms.This will require close monitoring of projects and effective project management.
Furthermore, it is pertinent to emphasise that, in its operations, the new board ought to ensure that the commission works closely with communities in the Niger Delta region, with community leaders and civil society organisations to identify the needs of the communities and ensure that projects are tailored to meet these needs. It is important that the needs of the people are taken into consideration in the commission’s operations as well as in the design and allocation of projects.
The issue of environmental degradation is another challenge that the new board must address. The Niger Delta region has suffered from oil spills and other forms of environmental damage due to oil exploration activities. It behooves on the board to work in synergy with oil companies to ensure that they operate in an environmentally responsible manner. This includes working to restore damaged ecosystems and to promote sustainable development in the region.
Of paramount importance, in our view, is the repair work that urgently needs to be done on the battered image of NDDC. The commission has been criticized for its lack of transparency, corruption, and poor project implementation. The new board will be well advised to expeditiously take steps to improve the commission’s reputation. This includes regular reporting on the commission’s activities, engaging with the media, and ensuring that the commission operates in a transparent and accountable manner.
The task before the new NDDC board is a challenging one. It was set up to fix the zone after what is perceived as irresponsible neglect by oil companies as well as the laxity of officialdom. The new board must, therefore, take decisive action to address these issues and fulfil the commission’s mandate. If the new board can achieve these goals, it will go a long way in addressing the challenges of the Niger Delta region and improving the lives of the people.
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