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 of 2007, as well as a Contract Review Committee.

Speaking during the inauguration, which took place at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Ogbuku underscored the importance of adhering to statutory functions as directed by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP. He emphasised that the committee’s establishment is an annual exercise designed to strengthen transparency, accountability, and effective checks and balances in the Commission’s procurement processes.

He stated: “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.”

The NDDC Boss further charged the committee members to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Procurement Act and ensure that all procurement lists for 2026 are compiled and ready for implementation.

In his remarks, the Director of Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji, expressed appreciation to the Managing Director for setting up the committee. He urged members to prioritise the timely upload of the 2026 procurement plan on the National Contractors’ Portal, noting that such compliance was essential for securing approvals from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

“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,” Dr Osuji said.

In a related development, the NDDC boss also inaugurated the Commission’s Contract Review Committee, charging them to ensure that all abandoned projects are identified for necessary action to complete them.

The Managing Director advised the committee to visit all nine Niger Delta states, as this was necessary to review the abandoned projects and determine the best way to revive them in line with the agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.

He said the reason for the committee’s inauguration was to evaluate and ensure that all awarded contracts are executed. Ogbuku further charged the committee to determine the status of the contracts already awarded, review them, and take decisive measures to ensure the work is done.

Ogbuku explained that the committee was set up to identify contractors’ challenges, determine how to assist them, and ensure the work was executed. He emphasised that many communities were complaining about abandoned projects that need to be reviewed, possibly terminated or rewarded. He said every part of the region needs to feel the presence of the NDDC. He gave the committee eight weeks to complete the assignment.

The NDDC Director, Project Monitoring and Supervision, Engr. Gbenga Omowale, thanked the Managing Director for his confidence in the committee and promised that they would carry out the assignment effectively and complete it within the time frame.

•PHOTO: NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku (2nd left) listening to the Director of Procurement, Dr Chuks Osuji (left), during the inauguration’of the Procurement Committee and Contract Review Committee at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt