Restructuring NDDC: Pathway to Development in the Niger Delta Region

Abstract

Niger Delta comprises of the South-South states, Ondo state from the South west, Imo and Abia States from the South East region of Nigeria. Despite the huge mineral resources that the region generates and the driving force to the national economy, the region remains in abject poverty, youth unemployment, poor infrastructure and high level insecurity. This paper investigates the role of NDDC, successes and challenges in the development of Niger Delta region. The Marxist instrumentalist theory was adopted as the theoretical framework of analysis. Documentary method was adopted as the method of data collection and content analysis was employed as the method of analysis. The paper found out that the federal government has created several interventionist bodies which include the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) (1958), the Oil Minerals Producing and Development Commission (OMPADEC) (1992), the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (2000) and the most recent, Ministry of Niger Delta (2008). In spite of this various interventionist bodies, the region is still far underdeveloped with little or nothing on ground compared to what is being exploited from the region. As an oil producing region, it ought to enjoy massive infrastructural development, job creation, empowerment programs and peaceful society, among others. However, this paper is of the view that a lot still needs to be done, as the region is retrogressing speedily instead of progressing in regards to the core indices of development. This paper also found out that corruption has eaten deep into the affair of NDDC. There is also a report of a cabal who hijacks contracts and sells it to contractors that end up doing low standard jobs not in line with the bill of quantities or not doing at all. The paper recommends total restructuring of Ministry of Niger Delta and NDDC in area of staff posting and review of organogram of the board. There should be a think-tank team of individuals with reputable character both from government and representatives of the people, towards listing out the needs of the people according to preference. A review of projects done and the ones ongoing across the Niger Delta oil producing states with the contractors involved to see if it is in line with the bill of quantities, any contractor found wanting should face the full wrath of the law.
 Keywords: Restructuring, Development, Niger Delta, Corruption, Oil Politics