By Dorcas Samson Achi
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been urged to ensure proper execution and completion of projects in states as their statutory responsibility, in order to fast track sustainable development of the oil rich region of Nigeria.
The call was made by a non governmental organization (NGO) and Human Rights group, the Better Community Life Initiative (BECOLIN) during a press conference organised by the group in partnership with Social Action (SA), on the 15th of July, 2024 in Owerri.
Speaking, Mr. Chibundu Uchegbu, the Programs Director of BECOLIN, disclosed that in the discharge of their duty as Civil Society Organization (CSO), the group undertook monitoring exercise of NDDC projects in Imo State, using a copy of 2019 NDDC budget from the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to ascertain the status of NDDC 2019 Budget Implementation in Imo State with concentration on projects that were executed, abandoned and not executed.
Through the findings, the group revealed some projects that were executed, abandoned and unexecuted. Some of the unexecuted and abandoned projects include, the proposed renovation of Okwudor Technical Secondary School Okwudor, in Njaba LGA with #100,000,000 budgeted for the project, 15,000,000 approved but project unexecuted, proposed construction of Amawo-Atta Health Centre in Ikeduru LGA with 40,000,000 budgeted, 6,000,000 approved but project abandoned, proposed construction of Mother/Child in Orlu LGA with 640,000,000 budgeted, 96, 000,000 approved but project not cited, amongst many other laudable projects with approved funds.
According to Uchegbu, it is appalling that Imo is still backward as a result of mismanagement of resources, absence of transparency, lack of accountability, non execution of budgeted projects, non involvement of community people to choose their projects and project abandonment that characterized the commission.
He expressed worry that non clarity and specification of project location is a serious concern as it creates a sufficient ground for suspicion and intentional move to rope in projects into the existing projects that are either community efforts or association efforts or old projects.
He also faulted the fact that some NDDC projects bear the logo and sponsorship of politicians, thereby sending messages that the projects were funded by politicians instead of NDDC.
He charged he ministry of Niger Delta affairs, saddled with the responsibility of supervising the commission to live up to expectations by ensuring projects are fully executed.
Furthermore, the group made demands of the following:
1. That NDDC makes details of the contractors and the project contract procurement within a reasonable time.
2. That NDDC carries out comprehensive investigation on why the projects were abandoned or not executed
3. That after thorough investigations and contractors are culpable, they should be compelled to go back to sites with immediate effect. Alternatively, they should refund the money and the refund should be made public
4. Additionally, anti graft agencies should be formally invited to launch prosecution where necessary.
5. That community people should be included in the NDDC budget preparation process to enable them choose their own projects in areas of priority and be part of the implementation process too
6. That the National assembly and executive arm of government should stop approving projects whose locations are not explicit.
The group reiterated their commitment to look into the status of NDDC projects of 2020 to 2024, to ascertain discrepancies in these projects, so as to ensure that NDDC carries out their legitimate duties to accelerate developments and improve the living standard of the masses
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