The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reiterated its dedication to upholding the Public Procurement Act’s requirements in order to guarantee accountability and transparency in project execution.
Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, gave the assurance during a capacity-building programme on public procurement organised for the NDDC’s executive management and directors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Speaking at the training, Ogbuku said the initiative was designed to deepen the understanding of senior management staff on procurement procedures and reinforce compliance with established regulations in the execution of projects.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledei Thompson-Wakama, the NDDC has also digitised its contract award letter process to eliminate the circulation of fake documents and improve the integrity of its procurement system.
Ogbuku explained that the decision became necessary following cases in which directors and contractors encountered investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over forged or improperly issued contract award letters.
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He said the commission’s adoption of an electronic procurement system forms part of broader efforts to curb corruption, enhance transparency and strengthen accountability in contract administration.
The NDDC boss expressed confidence that automating procurement processes would reduce human errors, eliminate delays associated with manual procedures and improve efficiency across the commission.
He stressed that compliance with government policies and procurement regulations remains critical to achieving sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
Ogbuku urged directors to ensure that all procurement requests strictly align with approved procurement plans and comply with the commission’s operational guidelines.
He also advised management staff to develop a sound understanding of procurement procedures, noting that submissions from contractors should be carefully evaluated in line with established priorities and regulatory requirements.
According to him, procurement plans should be driven by the development needs of communities within the Niger Delta, adding that the commission’s priorities are reviewed annually based on comprehensive needs assessments.
He further noted that all procurement activities must reflect the provisions of the commission’s approved annual budget, insisting that fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources are essential to effective service delivery.
The Managing Director also called on staff to demonstrate integrity and selflessness in the discharge of their responsibilities, particularly in the management of public funds.
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In his remarks, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, underscored the importance of continuous training for public officials, describing capacity development as a vital tool for strengthening financial management and accountability in government institutions.
Also speaking, the Director of Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji, said the training was organised to improve the knowledge, technical skills and professional competence of procurement officers, project managers, finance personnel and other officials involved in the procurement process.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to investing in capacity-building programmes that promote integrity, transparency and excellence in public procurement while supporting efficient service delivery and good governance.
Delivering a presentation at the training, the pioneer Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Emeka Eze, described procurement as a preventive tool against corruption rather than merely a mechanism for detecting it.
Eze observed that procurement remains one of the most vulnerable areas of public administration and urged participants to strictly comply with laid-down procedures to avoid practices that could expose them to corruption-related offences.
He identified transparency, fairness, integrity, openness, competition and accountability as the guiding principles of an effective public procurement system.
The former BPP Director-General also commended the NDDC for embracing electronic procurement, describing the initiative as a significant milestone that would strengthen transparency and improve efficiency in the commission’s operations.
