The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has assured that the Commission would not allow contractors to deny communities of their rightful benefits. He also said the Commission would no longer condone a situation where communities act as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their areas.
According to a publication dated February 25, 2024, by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, the Managing Director, who was speaking as Special Guest of Honour during the 2024 edition of an annual cultural festival in his hometown at Ayakoro Community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said the development imprints etched in the community were made possible by the peaceful nature of the people of Ayakoro who created the enabling environment for contractors to work without creating unnecessary levies which were not included in the contracts.
Ogbuku stated that peace and development go together and advised communities in Niger Delta region to cooperate with contractors to work, while assuring that the NDDC would not allow contractors to deny communities of their rightful benefits.
He said the commission under his stewardship was committed to ensuring that projects awarded and executed by the Commission have direct impacts on the benefiting communities.
He said that the era of stalled projects was over, noting however, that the Commission would no longer condone a situation where communities act as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their areas.
