Dousing the tension in the Niger delta through administrative agency: A programme evaluation of Niger delta development commission as an intervention regime

Abstract

In this study, we provide empirical evidence and analyses on the impact of NDDC as a development intervention regime in the oil producing areas of the Niger Delta. Our sample was made of 348 out of 600 respondents representing the dominant oil producing areas (DOPAS) and peripheral oil producing areas (POPAS) respectively. We observed that there are no significant differences in expressed attitude towards NDDC on the following issues: NDDC and the provision of infrastructural and human resource development, conflict resolution in the Niger Delta and the commitment of both the federal government and oil companies towards the development of the oil producing area. Using survey research method and a before-and-after study evaluation design, the study concludes that because of systemic constraints arising from the hegemonic interests of the dominant coalitions in the Nigerian Social formation, NDDC is less likely to meet, the expectation of its initiators and the people of the Niger Delta. And no matter, the intrinsic methodological inadequacy of this study, our findings confirm that NDDC is a structure built on shifting ground.Global Journal of Social Sciences Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp.85-92