The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has inaugurated a seven-member Procurement Committee in line with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, alongside a Contract Review Committee to address abandoned projects across the Niger Delta.
The inauguration, held at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt, signals what Ogbuku described as a renewed commitment to transparency, accountability and strict compliance with regulatory standards.
He stressed the need for adherence to the directives of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), noting that the constitution of the Procurement Committee is an annual statutory requirement aimed at strengthening checks and balances in the Commission’s procurement processes.
“It is very important that we comply with the directives of the Bureau of Public Procurement. This committee has been given a specified timeframe to ensure that our 2026 procurement plan is executed without delay.
Every directorate is expected to cooperate fully with the committee to make their work easier and more effective,” Ogbuku said.
He charged members to strictly comply with the provisions of the Procurement Act and ensure that all procurement lists for 2026 are compiled and ready for implementation within the stipulated period.
In his remarks, the Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, commended the Managing Director for setting up the committee and urged members to prioritise the timely upload of the 2026 procurement plan on the National Contractors’ Portal.
“The essence of uploading our procurement plan is to ensure smooth regulatory approval. Let us all work together to capture every detail of the 2026 procurement plan,” Osuji stated, noting that compliance is critical to securing BPP approvals.
Eight-week deadline on abandoned projects
In a related move, Ogbuku also inaugurated the Commission’s Contract Review Committee, tasking it with identifying and reviewing abandoned projects across the nine Niger Delta states.
He directed the committee to embark on field visits to assess the status of previously awarded contracts, determine challenges facing contractors and recommend appropriate actions, including completion, review, termination or re-award where necessary.
According to him, the exercise aligns with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and is aimed at ensuring that all parts of the region feel the Commission’s presence.
“Many communities are complaining about abandoned projects. These projects must be reviewed. We need to determine their status, understand the challenges contractors are facing and take decisive measures to ensure the work is done,” he said.
Ogbuku gave the committee eight weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the NDDC Director of Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Gbenga Omowale, thanked the Managing Director for the confidence reposed in them and pledged that the committee would carry out its mandate diligently within the stipulated timeframe.
The twin inaugurations underscore the Commission’s effort to tighten procurement procedures and accelerate the completion of long-stalled projects in the oil-rich region.
