NDDC boss blames slow devt of region on distrust, suspicion

Due to its strategic function as an interventionist agency in the South-South region, the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said that the commission is marred with so much distrust and suspicion by residents.

According to the commission, experience has shown that the problem of distrust stalls expected development in the region.

NDDC, however, assured that it is making efforts to ensure that the perception of the people region, with regards to project execution, is changed to reduce conflict while promoting equitable development.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, yesterday, at a strategic capacity building on conflict management and peace-building approaches for NDDC’s personnel, tagged, ‘Fostering Peaceful Engagement for Sustainable Development’ organised by Peace and Development Project (PEDEP), in partnership with NDDC’s Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the Director, Administration and Human Resources, Patrick Ikade, thanked the DCR arm of the commission for the training, adding that it would equip the staff members of NDDC with skills in conflict management and resolution.

He said that the people of the region have much distrust and suspicion of the commission over projects, noting that such has triggered conflict. He, however, stressed that the training would address such issues.

Ogbuku said: “I will thank the Dispute and Conflict Resolution department for this programme. It is coming at the right time in the history of the Niger Delta when many projects are to be executed in our communities.

“We are about hitting the ground with several programmes and projects based on our mandate. These projects and programmes will take us to the people, and that will bring conflict. It then means that we must have all the necessary skills in managing conflict.”

Meanwhile, the Acting Director, Department of Dispute and Conflict Resolution, NDDC, Goddy Ogedemgbe, said that the training would address those issues that have led to the abandonment of projects, adding that the commission is now configured for productivity and results.