Technology will drive NDDC fiscal transparency, says MD

• Published On: 22 June 2024 at 14:59

Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, has stated that the commission will use technology to improve all of its operations in the effort to develop the Niger Delta Region.

Ogbuku made the remarks during a three-day Capacity Building and Retreat for officials from the NDDC Directorate of Finance and Supply in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

Pius Ughakpoteni, the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, released a statement in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

Ogbuku emphasised the need of using technology as the Commission worked to reposition itself for increased efficacy and better service delivery.


He emphasised the significance of strong internal procedures to counteract excessive external influences on the Commission's operations and processes.

"Thus technology s is necessary to ensure continuous fiscal transparency and accountability," the president of the NDDC said.

Ogbuku also emphasised the importance of finance and supply in the NDDC's activities, stating that the directorate's operations would be gradually automated to increase effectiveness and improve public dealings with the Commission, including remote access to payment status to promote transparency.

He cautioned the financial personnel against being casual with documentation while carrying out their duties as the commission's accounting officers and auditors, emphasising the importance of adequate documentation in all transactions.

He also stated: "This retreat should address major concerns facing the Commission, such as the huge debt burden facing us and come up with salient recommendations and key action points."

Speaking earlier, Kunemofa Asu, Director of Finance and Supply, indicated that training was critical in scaling up the NDDC's management procedures to improve efficiency and accountability in service delivery to the people of the Niger Delta region.

Asu stated that the annual retreat, themed "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 Niger Delta Region's overall development.

"Training is a critical component of our professional development and organisational success. It is an opportunity to enhance and gain new skills, so improving individual performance in the discharge of our obligations 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, Uche Ejiofor, noted that the NDDC Act identified oil companies as important partners in the Commission's financial sustainability.

Ejiofor consequently encouraged the Commission to evaluate its efforts to enhance the contributions of the oil firms to its funding.