The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, has inaugurated a seven-member Procurement Committee in compliance with the Public Procurement Act, alongside a Contract Review Committee.
The inauguration ceremony took place on February 16, 2026, at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Ogbuku underscored the importance of strictly adhering to statutory guidelines as directed by the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). He explained that the constitution of the Procurement Committee is an annual exercise aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and effective checks and balances within the Commission’s procurement processes.
“It is very important that we comply with the directives of the Bureau of Public Procurement,” Ogbuku stated. “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 facilitate efficiency and effectiveness.”
The Managing Director charged members of the committee to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Procurement Act and ensure that all procurement plans for 2026 are properly compiled and ready for implementation.
In his remarks, the Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, expressed appreciation to the Managing Director for establishing the committee. He urged members to prioritise the timely upload of the 2026 procurement plan to the National Contractors’ Portal, noting that compliance is essential for securing regulatory approvals from the BPP.
“The essence of uploading our procurement plan is to ensure smooth regulatory approval. Let us work collaboratively to capture every detail of the 2026 procurement plan,” Osuji said.
In a related development, Dr. Ogbuku also inaugurated the Commission’s Contract Review Committee, mandating it to identify all abandoned projects across the Niger Delta region and recommend appropriate actions for their completion.
He directed the committee to visit all nine Niger Delta states to assess the status of abandoned projects and determine practical strategies for reviving them in line with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
According to the Managing Director, the committee’s primary objective is to evaluate awarded contracts, determine their current status, and take decisive measures to ensure proper execution. He emphasised the need to identify contractors’ challenges, explore possible support mechanisms, and ensure projects are delivered as intended.
Ogbuku acknowledged growing concerns from communities regarding abandoned projects and noted that such projects may require review, termination, or re-award where necessary. He stressed that every part of the region must feel the tangible presence of the NDDC. The committee has been given eight weeks to complete its assignment.
Responding on behalf of the committee, the Director of Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Gbenga Omowale, thanked the Managing Director for the confidence reposed in them and assured that the committee would execute its mandate effectively within the stipulated timeframe.
