The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has intensified efforts to reform its procurement processes, extending a stakeholder sensitisation programme on policy reforms and digitisation to Abia State.
At a stakeholders’ sensitisation and training summit held in Aba, the Commission said the initiative was designed to entrench transparency, efficiency and accountability in its operations, while strengthening institutional capacity across the Niger Delta.
Director of Procurement at the NDDC, Dr. Chuks Osuji—represented by Assistant Director, Engr. Freeman Okwurakpo—said the reform drive was part of broader institutional changes aimed at improving governance and service delivery.
According to him, the programme seeks to equip stakeholders, contractors and service providers with the knowledge required to align with the Commission’s evolving procurement framework.
“The sensitisation reflects our commitment to building capacity, deepening institutional knowledge and adopting innovative solutions that meet global best practices,” he said.
“Empowering stakeholders with the right tools will accelerate development and create lasting value for communities.”
Osuji added that the transition to digital procurement would mark a shift from transactional processes to transformational service delivery, describing the move as a catalyst for economic and social renewal in the region.
Also speaking, the NDDC Director in Abia, Mr. Anderson Ukeh, commended the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, for expanding the programme to the state.
He noted that the Commission had made significant progress in automating its systems, describing the reform as “a new chapter” for the agency.
In his presentation, Associate Professor of Procurement Management at the Federal University of Technology Owerri, Dr. Rex Ugulu, said the initiative was targeted at government officials, private sector players and civil society groups.
He explained that the reform centres on replacing manual, paper-based systems with a fully digital platform to improve access, reduce delays and curb corruption.
“Digitisation is not just a technological upgrade; it is a critical governance reform,” Ugulu said. “It enhances transparency, strengthens service delivery and ensures more responsible management of public resources.”
