Fiscal Responsibility, Imperative For Public Servants, Says NDDC Boss

Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has emphasised the importance of fiscal responsibility among public servants entrusted with the stewardship of public resources, both professionally and personally.
According to Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, Ogbuku stated in his keynote address during a seven-day personal financial management training programme for NDDC staff in Port Harcourt that it was necessary to promote financial independence and instil feasible and sustainable personal financial management habits among the Commission’s staff.
The training, based on the theme “Personal Financial Management Training: Strategies for Eliminating Debt and Achieving Financial Freedom,” covered critical aspects of financial management, such as psychological barriers to financial planning, cash flow management, money mindset, investment planning, and debt management.
Ogbuku stated that the initiative stemmed from the need to address growing financial challenges among the Commission’s staff, which necessitated equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to ensure their financial stability and debt-free status.
The NDDC Chief Executive Officer stated that financial instability has an impact not only on personal well-being but also on productivity and organisational integrity and that financial independence requires discipline, knowledge, and healthy financial habits. “That is what this training is all about; giving you the tools and strategies to make those decisions, to take control of your financial destiny,” he said.
According to Ogbuku, the training was a critical component of the NDDC’s Rewind to Rebirth initiative, which aimed to recalibrate the Commission’s engagement with the Niger Delta region.
“By developing a financially literate and resilient workforce, we will be better positioned to drive sustainable development and effectively implement our intervention strategies in the region. By investing in your financial literacy and empowerment, we not only improve your well-being but also strengthen the NDDC’s ability to carry out its mission,” he stated.
In his welcome address, Alabo Boma Iyaye, Executive Director of Finance and Administration, explained that the training program was meticulously designed to provide NDDC staff with the knowledge and tools they needed to take control of their finances and eliminate debts.
He stated, “Your financial health is critical to our success as an organisation committed to driving sustainable development in the Niger Delta region.”
The Executive Director stated that one of the reasons for the training was the recent death of staff members, which had been attributed to cardiac-related issues that may have arisen from pressure from thinking about loans they had taken and were unable to repay.
He advised employees not to spend recklessly by managing their finances prudently, not to engage in unhealthy competition with one another, and to be content with their earnings.
He also advised staff to prioritise by setting attainable goals and working towards them. He also advised staff to plan for retirement while still on duty, as it would be very beneficial in the future.
Dr Richard Okoye, Chief Executive Officer of Save A Life Mission Hospital, delivered a health lecture in which he emphasised the importance of good health in workers’ lives and advised that it should be taken very seriously.
He went on to say, “Money is good, but you can not enjoy it if you are not healthy.
He emphasised the importance of regular health check-ups, stating that if the situation deteriorated to a certain point, money would no longer be an option. “If our health is not properly taken care of and deteriorates to a certain point, it can have disastrous consequences,” he warned.