YENAGOA – The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has revealed that the Commission adopted a digital contract system to stop the circulation of fake contract award letters and curb corruption in its procurement process.
Ogbuku said several directors and contractors had previously landed in trouble with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because of fake or improperly documented contract papers, making digitalisation necessary.
Speaking during a Capacity Building Training on Public Procurement for NDDC Executive Management and Directors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the NDDC boss said the Commission introduced an e-procurement system to promote transparency, accountability and efficiency.
In a statement issued by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Ogbuku said the digital procurement process would reduce human errors, eliminate lengthy manual procedures and strengthen compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
“The Commission has come of age and must strictly comply with government rules and policies to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region,” he said.
He urged directors to strictly follow approved procurement plans and ensure all requests align with the Commission’s annual budget and the needs assessment of the region.
According to him, every director must fully understand the procurement process and carefully scrutinise proposals submitted by contractors in line with established priorities.
Ogbuku also stressed the need for prudence in the management of public funds, saying public officials must be willing to make sacrifices in the interest of national development.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, described capacity building as essential for government officials entrusted with managing public resources.
The NDDC Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, said the training was designed to improve the knowledge and skills of procurement professionals, project managers, finance officers and other key stakeholders involved in project implementation.
He noted that the Commission would continue investing in training programmes that promote integrity, transparency and excellence in public procurement.
Delivering a lecture at the event, the pioneer Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Emeka Eze, said procurement processes are designed to prevent corruption rather than merely punish corrupt practices.
He warned that procurement remains one of the most corruption-prone areas in government and urged participants to strictly adhere to due process.
Eze commended the NDDC for embracing e-procurement, describing the initiative as a major breakthrough that would improve transparency, accountability and service delivery.
