Juliet Ezeh
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has called on communities in Edo State to take a more active role in monitoring projects executed in their areas, stressing that stronger local oversight is critical to addressing poor execution and abandonment.
The Commission said increased community involvement would not only improve transparency but also ensure that contractors deliver projects according to agreed standards.
Speaking in Benin during a stakeholders’ capacity-building workshop, the Edo State Office Director of the NDDC, Mercy Babawale, emphasised that communities must go beyond passive observation and actively engage in project implementation processes.
She explained that residents have the right to question contractors, demand accountability, and report any suspected compromise in quality or execution.
According to her, the Commission’s project framework is built on needs assessment, meaning that every project is designed to address specific community demands, making local participation essential for successful delivery.
Babawale noted that when communities fail to engage, it creates room for lapses, including substandard execution and poor maintenance culture.
She urged stakeholders to promptly escalate concerns to the Commission where contractors fail to respond, assuring that such complaints would attract immediate attention.
Also speaking at the event, facilitator and development expert, Francis Abayomi, identified weak monitoring, neglect, and lack of maintenance as major factors responsible for the decline of many projects across the Niger Delta.
He stressed that sustainable development can only be achieved when communities take ownership by ensuring that projects are properly maintained and protected after completion.
Project Coordinator Ovia Mathias added that the initiative was designed to bridge the gap between the Commission and host communities, encouraging continuous engagement to safeguard investments.
Participants at the workshop welcomed the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that would empower communities to demand better service delivery and protect development efforts.
One of the attendees, Obehi Ogua, pledged to mobilise members of her community to become more involved in monitoring projects, noting that such engagement would help prevent waste and ensure long-term benefits.
The NDDC’s renewed focus on community-driven oversight comes amid ongoing concerns about abandoned and poorly executed projects in the region, with stakeholders increasingly calling for stronger accountability mechanisms.
Juliet Ezeh is the founder and chief reporter at Westbridge Reporters with over 7 years of experience in journalism. She covers crime, industry, policy, and social developments, delivering timely and accurate reporting.