Ogbuku Says Technology Will Drive NDDC’s Fiscal Transparency

Dr Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has stated that the Commission will use technology to upgrade all of its operations in order to transform the Niger Delta Region.

Ogbuku, speaking at a three-day Capacity Building and Retreat for staff from the NDDC Directorate of Finance and Supply in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, emphasised the importance of deploying technology as the Commission repositions itself for greater effectiveness and better service delivery.

In a press statement issued by Pius Ughakpoteni, Director of Corporate Affairs, the NDDC Chief Executive Officer emphasised the importance of strong internal mechanisms to check overbearing external influences in the Commission’s operations and processes, stating that it was required to ensure continuous fiscal transparency and accountability.
Ogbuku emphasised the importance of finance and supply in NDDC activities, stating that the Directorate’s operations would be gradually automated to improve effectiveness and public dealings with the Commission, including remote access to payment statuses to promote transparency.
He cautioned the finance personnel against being careless with documentation in carrying out their duties as the Commission’s accounting officers and auditors, emphasising the importance of proper documentation for all transactions.
He went on to say, “This retreat should address major concerns facing the Commission, such as the enormous debt burden we face, and produce salient recommendations and key action points.”
Earlier, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Supply, stated that training was critical in scaling up the NDDC’s management processes to improve efficiency and accountability in service delivery to the people of the Niger Delta Region.
She stated that the annual retreat, with the theme “The Role of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in the attainment of the Renewed Hope Agenda: The Directorate of Finance and Supply as a Case Study,” was intended to chart a new path for the overall development of the Niger Delta Region.
Kunemofa Asu stated, “Training is an essential component of our professional development and organisational success.” It is an opportunity to strengthen and learn new skills, thereby improving individual performance in the discharge of our duties as employees of NDDC’s Finance and Supply Directorate.”
During a presentation titled “The Niger Delta Development Commission, as an Interventionist Agency; The Journey So Far,” one of the resource persons, Mr. Uche Ejiofor, noted that the NDDC Act identified oil companies as critical partners in the Commission’s financial sustainability. As a result, he advised the Commission to review its strategies in order to maximise the oil companies’ funding contributions.