Ex-NDDC Chairman discloses alarming bureaucratic hurdles and political interference

A former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, has shed light on the structural inefficiencies and political interference that have crippled the commission’s effectiveness.

In a candid interview on The Exchange Podcast, hosted by Femi Soneye, Ndoma-Egba attributed the commission’s struggles to excessive bureaucracy, lack of an operational master plan, and volatile leadership tenure.

■ 62 Tables to Cross Before Payment

One striking example of the bureaucratic red tape is the staggering 62 tables a contractor must pass through before receiving payment.

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Ndoma-Egba emphasised that this level of bureaucracy breeds inefficiency, which in turn fuels corruption.

“What is the implication of that? Serious bureaucracy. And what does serious bureaucracy breed? Inefficiency. What does inefficiency breed? Corruption,” he stated.

■ Abandoned Master Plan

Ndoma-Egba lamented the abandonment of the NDDC master plan, which was launched after extensive stakeholder consultations.

The plan’s absence has left the commission operating without direction, unable to effectively integrate the region economically.

He suspected that the plan’s abandonment was due to “convenience,” facilitated by political pressures that view the NDDC as a “share of the national cake.”

■Leadership Instability

The Senator’s own experience as NDDC Chairman was marked by instability.

Despite setting up a committee to revive the master plan, his board was dissolved via a news bulletin without formal notification or reason.

This recurring problem destabilises the commission and prevents proper long-term planning.

■ Recommendations for Reform

Police explain Sowore’s imprisonment after bail

Ndoma-Egba proposed a simple yet radical solution: ensuring the current leadership remains in place for the full four-year period mandated by law.

This, he believes, would allow leaders to plan properly and avoid the distraction of constantly looking over their shoulders, potentially leading to more sustainable reforms and genuine development.

■ Call to Action

The Niger Delta region continues to grapple with development challenges, and the NDDC’s ineffectiveness has significant implications for the region’s economic and social well-being.

As the commission navigates these challenges, it remains to be seen whether meaningful reforms will be implemented to address the bureaucratic hurdles and political interference that have hindered its progress.