FG orders NDDC to involve communities in project execution

The Federal Government has directed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to henceforth involve host communities in the execution of projects in their domain.

The Presidential Monitoring Committee (PMC) on NDDC gave the directive in a nine-point communiqué issued at the end of a one-day stakeholders’ forum in Port Harcourt on Monday.

The communiqué was signed by the Acting Chairman of the Committee, Richard King, and handed over to Christian Oboh, the Managing Director of the NDDC.

In the communiqué, the PMC also directed the local communities to take charge of projects in their domains.

It advised that local governments and communities should “henceforth take up the responsibility of providing management, staff, maintenance and security of projects in their domains”.

It recommended interaction between NDDC and host communities in determining the relevance and location of proposed projects through town hall meetings.

According to the communiqué, NDDC should liaise with the relevant agencies and the local governments on projects from conception stage to avoid duplication of projects.

The communiqué also called on the NNDC to give priority to the completion of abandoned projects across the Niger Delta region.

On contractors, it advocated the sanctioning of erring contractors and consultants over sub-standard jobs and project abandonment.

It further urged the NNDC to engage the services of competent and qualified contractors for project execution.

The communiqué advised that feasibility studies and environmental impact assessment must be conducted at all times before any major project would be awarded.