NDDC digitises operations to ensure better service delivery – Ogbuku

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is said to be going paperless, due to a transformation and digitisation scheme, launched by the present Management led by Samuel Ogbuku and backed by the Board led by Chiedu Ebie.

Ogbuku has explained that transforming and digitising the NDDC operations, is to ensure better service delivery for the Niger Delta region.

Addressing a delegation from the National Council on Establishment during a courtesy visit at the NDDC Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku stated that the Commission is going paperless by digitisation of its transactions, including procurement processes.

The Managing Director, represented by Boma Iyaye, the Executive Director (Finance and Administration), told the delegation, which included the Heads of Service of State Governments across the country, that the change in the Commission had earned it public trust.

On project delivery, the NDDC boss stated that over 600 kilometers of roads had been completed in the last three years, in addition to bridges in parts of the region, while one of the longest bridges in the country, the 1.2-kilometre Kaa-Ataba Bridge, would soon be completed and inaugurated.

While giving assurance of collaboration between NDDC and Governors of mandate States that gave rise to notable projects across the region, Ogbuku noted that the commission had enjoyed fruitful partnership with development partners, such as Shell, NLNG, and Chevron to execute landmark projects that had positive impact on the people.

He highlighted the contributions of the NDDC in human capital development, noting that the Foreign Post Graduate Scholarship scheme was revitalised and expanded to include local post graduate scholarship, accommodating 600 additional beneficiaries in the Niger Delta Region.

The NDDC boss stated that over N6 billion had been injected into small scale business enterprises in the region through the establishment of Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines and Agriculture (NDCCITMA) to facilitate economic growth and poverty reduction.

Ogbuku stated that a lot had been achieved in the health sector such as building and equipping of medical centers, in addition to Free Medical outreaches to cater for the healthcare needs of the region.

The Managing Director explained that oil production was in the region over 800 barrels per day when the present leadership took over, but through collaboration with security agencies and intervention activities that engaged the youths, oil theft reduced, paving way for increased oil production to about 1.4 million barrels per day output.

Ogbuku also highlighted the operation Light up the Niger Delta programme, through solar street lights that had been successful, illuminating the communities and reducing insecurity, theft and other criminal acts in the region.

Speaking earlier, Didi Walson-Jack, Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoSF), commended the NDDC digitisation initiative, stating that it was in line with the Federal Civil Service directive that Ministries, Departments and Agencies MDAs should go paperless by December.

The Head of Civil Service, who was represented by Ishiayaku Mohammed, Permanent Secretary, Service Policies and Strategies office, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, maintained that there was need for collaboration with the Commission because all policies of the Federal Government affect the interventionist agency.

According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, the Head of service stressed the importance of addressing staff welfare, training and capacity building among to ensure growth in public service.

Walson-Jack applauded NDDC for initiatives and reform policies that the Commission had taken in recent times to enhance development in the Niger Delta Region.