Environmental advocate, Fyneface Dumnamene, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to scale up its efforts in developing human capital across the nine states of the Niger Delta region. Speaking during an interview assessing the commission’s performance over its 25 years of existence, Dumnamene emphasized the urgent need for the NDDC to shift focus from purely infrastructural projects to also investing in education and grassroots engagement.
“The NDDC must extend its developmental efforts to include secondary schools and youth-oriented programs,” said Dumnamene, who is the Executive Director of the Youth and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC). “Education is the foundation of development, and if we are serious about building the region, then we must start from the schools.”
Dumnamene also recommended that the NDDC establish a community-based feedback platform where residents can directly propose development projects for consideration and implementation. He stressed that this participatory approach would ensure that the commission’s interventions reflect the actual needs of the people.
“The NDDC is an interventionist agency, and I would have expected them to keep part of their annual budget open to public submissions. They could host interactive radio programs where community members call in and suggest urgent projects—whether it’s road repairs, school renovations, or healthcare access. Once the NDDC receives such suggestions, they should send officials to verify the need and act swiftly. This level of responsiveness is crucial.”
However, Dumnamene criticized the commission’s centralized structure, which he described as inaccessible to the average Niger Deltan. He pointed out that most residents find it difficult to engage with the NDDC or get any meaningful response to their concerns.
“The NDDC is currently over-centralized. It’s difficult for ordinary people to reach the commission. You write letters, make phone calls, and still get no reply. That needs to change,” he said.
To address this challenge, he proposed the appointment of community liaison officers at the ward level who would serve as a bridge between residents and the commission. These officers, he explained, would gather feedback, relay community concerns to the state offices, and ensure the information reaches the national level for action.
“If they appoint liaison officers who collect input from each ward and forward it to the state office, which then analyzes and presents it to the national headquarters, it would make a big difference. These officers can ensure that every community has a voice in how development funds are used.”
Dumnamene concluded by urging the NDDC to make its operations more transparent and people-centered, reminding officials that they are accountable to the public.
“NDDC officials must make themselves accessible because they represent the people—not themselves. If development is to be inclusive and effective, then the commission must listen to those it was created to serve.”
