NDDC moves to curb vandalism of projects in Niger Delta communities

By Davies Iheamnachor

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified efforts to curb the vandalisation of critical infrastructure projects executed across communities in the Niger Delta region.

The commission also expressed concern over the destruction of several completed and ongoing projects, describing the trend as discouraging and detrimental to development in the region.

As part of its response, the commission on Monday organised a one-day capacity-building programme for stakeholders in Rivers State on community ownership and protection of NDDC projects. The event, held in Port Harcourt, was organised by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the NDDC and facilitated by Peace and Development Projects in collaboration with Bitood Nigeria Limited.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Rivers Operations at the commission, Okezie Ule, said the training was designed to equip participants with the knowledge required to safeguard projects executed in their communities.

Ule, who represented the Managing Director of the commission, Samuel Ogbuku, said the initiative had become necessary given the scale of projects currently being implemented across the region by the commission’s management.

According to him, the NDDC remains committed to executing people-oriented projects while also taking steps to protect completed and ongoing facilities.

“We have seen with dismay how many of our projects, even those strongly requested by the communities, are left to deteriorate. Vandals have targeted some of these projects, including valuable assets such as solar streetlights that illuminate many of our communities,” Ule said.

He cited instances where newly completed projects were vandalised shortly after commissioning, describing the development as a major setback to the commission’s development efforts.

“It is discouraging that funds are invested in critical infrastructure, particularly assets such as pathways and lighting systems, only for them to be vandalised,” he added.

Ule also warned individuals involved in vandalism to stay away from NDDC projects and urged community members to take responsibility for protecting facilities located within their areas.

Also speaking, the Rivers State representative on the commission’s board, Tony Okocha, described the training as essential for ensuring that projects executed by the NDDC are properly safeguarded.

Represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Chibuzor Kwelle, Okocha commended communities that have already taken steps to protect development projects in their areas.

He noted that several NDDC initiatives, particularly solar streetlight projects, have helped to reduce criminal activities in many communities.

Meanwhile, the Project Coordinator of Peace and Development Projects, Francis Abayomi, said the capacity-building programme was aimed at encouraging communities to take ownership of development projects provided for them.

He stressed that community participation in protecting infrastructure was essential to ensuring the sustainability and long-term impact of development efforts in the Niger Delta.

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