NDDC Sensitises Stakeholders against Public Infrastructure Vandalism in C’River

Bassey Inyang in Calabar 

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has appealed to the people of Cross River State to take ownership of, and protect public projects established by the Commission in their various communities.

Making the appeal in Calabar at a capacity building programme at for stakeholders, the Cross River state Director of the NDDC, Daniel Ajunwa said that  “over the years, the commission has offered several intervention programs in the state. But if you go and take a very good look at what is happening, what is on ground, it appears as though NDDC is not doing much. But, if you catalogue NDDC programs over the years, you will agree with me that NDDC has embarked on several intervention programmes that ordinarily would help to alleviate sufferings in our communities, and sustain and improve lives in our communities”.

He said the lack of taking ownership of NDDC projects by the communities remains a serious challenge.

“That mentality, that orientation, has to change. They have to see the project as their own,” he said. 

He advised youths to make effort to protect in their communities, saying, “If it means coming together and forming groups, vigilante groups, to take care of these programs, take care of these Projects.”

An expert and consultant with the commission, Dr. Carol Bichene Ebuta, said that more than 50 percent of NDDC projects in the Niger Delta region since the inception of the commission have been vandalised by hoodlums.

Ebuta who was a facilitator at the event said the NDDC has been doing a whole lot to make the lives of the people better. 

He lamented it is disheartening that after making all these efforts, and spending money on projects by the commission, hoodlums, criminals with support from youths in some communities would steal, and vandalise all the projects.

He said that was the reason the NDDC staged the sensitisation programme of ownership of projects that have been given to communities.

“We are making this sensitisation. We are making the information known to community leaders, that whatever NDDC is bringing to you is your own. You have to take ownership of NDDC projects in your communities.You must protect them”, he said.

“The youths should be protecting what they have in their communities. Why the youth are so important is that it is the youth that are stealing. We have cameras and we know these things”