Theft, vandalism slowing development in Niger Delta, says NDDC
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on communities and stakeholders across its mandate states to take responsibility for protecting and safeguarding development projects and public infrastructure in their
- ...seek communities' support to safeguard, protect public assets
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on communities and stakeholders across its mandate states to take responsibility for protecting and safeguarding development projects and public infrastructure in their domains.
The commission also warned that vandalism, theft, neglect, and destruction of public assets undermine development efforts and slow progress in critical sectors such as electricity, roads, and other basic amenities meant to improve the well-being of the Niger Delta region.
Speaking at a one-day capacity-building engagement programme for stakeholders held in Okitipupa, Ondo State, on Wednesday, the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, frowned at the destruction of government projects initiated by the NDDC in host communities.
Abegunde, who was represented by the Ondo State Director of the Commission, Engr. Kunle Karaki described the trend as a major setback to development in the Niger Delta region.
“Regrettably, we have observed instances where vandalism, theft, neglect, and insufficient community engagement have compromised valuable assets intended to improve collective well-being. Such setbacks not only delay progress but also diminish the returns on resources committed for the benefit of our people," he said.
According to him, community ownership goes beyond simply using facilities, stressing that it requires active stewardship, vigilance against threats to public assets, prompt reporting of irregularities, participation in monitoring processes, and collaborative maintenance efforts.
Abegunde explained that the engagement programme was organised to deepen awareness among stakeholders and foster a sense of shared responsibility in securing public infrastructure.
"It is in recognition of this reality that we have convened this campaign. Our objective is clear: to deepen awareness, encourage a sense of shared responsibility, and promote a culture of ownership that ensures every completed project is protected, maintained, and optimized for present and future generations.
"Our objective is clear - to encourage a culture of ownership that ensures every completed project is protected, maintained, and optimised for present and future generations.
“When communities embrace projects as their own, they become custodians of progress, transforming public infrastructure into symbols of pride, unity, and collective achievement,” he said.
Abegunde further noted that the NDDC, through its Corporate Affairs Directorate and state offices, remains committed to strengthening partnerships with host communities to ensure the sustainability of projects.
He stressed that the commission has continued to address socio-economic and environmental challenges in the oil-producing communities through the provision of critical infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, water schemes, solar street lights, as well as youth empowerment and capacity-building initiatives.
Presenting a paper at the event titled "Strengthening Community Ownership Framework for Sustainable NDDC Project Monitoring and Protection Against Vandalism and Theft," Mr. Ajibola Shekoni of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies at the Lagos State University, linked the ongoing crisis of vandalism and theft on NDDC projects in the Niger Delta not only to the failure of security but also to sociological issues.
Shekoni, whose paper was presented by Eniola Akinsola, the erstwhile Chief Press Secretary to ex-governor Olusegun Mimiko, said the local communities in the mandate area have continued to feel disconnected from the wealth produced on their ancestral lands.
"When communities are left out of the initial stage needs assessments and project design stage, they tend to view the resulting infrastructure as government property instead of communal heritage. The absence of psychological ownership renders projects vulnerable to vandalism," he added.
Remarking, the NDDC's Director of Peace and Development Project (PEDEP), Francis Abayomi, called on the stakeholders to resist the temptation of engaging in diatribe and destruction of government projects.
Abayomi added that the people of the Niger Delta could also assist the commission to improve its service delivery and sustainable development in the region through active participation and advocacy.
One of the participants, Pastor Ogundairo Emiloju, urged the NDDC authorities to ensure it engaged the community anytime the commission plans to execute development projects in the region.
He, however, frowned at every act of vandalism, stating that sabotage should also be discouraged among the stakeholders in the Niger Delta communities.
"It is important to engage the community on what they want. If you give us what we want, it will give us mental alertness to watch over it.
"Most of the jobs they executed are substandard jobs, and unfortunately, they are indigenes. The projects are substandard because there is no community participation. Most of the projects are also political.
"You also awarded projects to a political patroniser. The security of every one of these projects should be handed over to the leaders of the community. There should be a department of NDDC for maintenance."
