- The NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, shakes hands with the Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Dr Godwin Ogedegbe, during the opening of a three-day sensitisation programme for Contractors and Consultants in Port Harcourt. With them are the NDDC Director, Human Resources and Administration, Kelechi Nwelue (2nd right); the Keynote Speaker, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert (right); and the National spokesperson, PANDEF’s Chief Ominimini Obiuwevbi (left).
By Emmanuel Thomas l Thursday, Sept 17, 2026
PORT HARCOURT — In a major strategic shift designed to eliminate costly project delays and foster peaceful community engagement, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as a primary engine for sustainable development across the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
The policy direction was unveiled at the opening of a comprehensive three-day sensitisation workshop organized for NDDC contractors and consultants in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The initiative aims to equip key project execution stakeholders with modern conflict resolution, negotiation, and early mediation skill sets.
Speaking at the event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, underscored that while disagreements are an inherent part of large-scale infrastructure and socio-economic execution, the speed and professionalism with which they are managed determine a project’s ultimate impact.
Represented by the Executive Director, Corporate Services, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde, Dr. Ogbuku emphasized that every infrastructure contract awarded in the region represents a vital lifeline for host communities.
”Alternative Dispute Resolution is important because every project is more than a contract,” Ogbuku stated. “When conflicts stall projects, the consequences extend far beyond contractors and the NDDC to the everyday people waiting for roads, hospitals, schools, and empowerment.”
He alerted stakeholders that unchecked disputes lead to severe fiscal and social overheads, including inflated contract costs, abandoned sites, broken trust, and heightened friction among the Commission, executing contractors, host communities, and consultants.
Ogbuku charged contractors to see themselves not merely as builders, but as proactive peacebuilders on the frontlines.
“We want our contractors and consultants to understand that you are not merely participants in project execution; you are also critical first responders in conflict management. You are often closest to the projects, closest to the community, and closest to emerging issues,” he added, advocating strongly for an early intervention model over reactive litigation.
Elaborating on the strategic objectives of the initiative, the Director of the NDDC’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, Dr. Godwin Ogedegbe, explained that the workshop was structured to safeguard the social fabric of the Niger Delta while executing vital infrastructure.
Dr. Ogedegbe noted that despite the region’s vast natural wealth and vibrant local talent, the complex socio-economic realities frequently spark operational tensions. Unmanaged grievances, he warned, actively dismantle development gains.
”Conflict sensitivity requires a deliberate recognition and deep understanding of the communities where the NDDC operates,” Ogedegbe said. “Our goal is to ensure that the Commission’s interventions never sow division, but instead build inclusion, trust, and lasting cooperation.”
He highlighted that ADR provides a structured, structured, and mutually beneficial mechanism to bypass contentious court processes in favor of dialogue, fairness, and mutual respect.
Expert Recommendations for Project Sustainability.
Delivering the keynote address titled “Conflict Sensitivity and Alternative Dispute Resolution: Application in Project Execution for Sustainable Development in the Niger Delta,” Professor Isaac Olawale, Dean of the Faculty of Multidisciplinary Studies at the University of Ibadan, warned that engineering excellence alone cannot guarantee a project’s success.
Professor Olawale cautioned that even the most technically flawless project will stall or face complete failure if local relationships, community expectations, and underlying grievances are left unmanaged.
He called on contractors to integrate formal conflict risk assessment protocols into their everyday site operations, selecting tailored ADR mechanisms to keep works on schedule while preserving valuable community goodwill.
The three-day sensitization event concluded with a unified call for stakeholders to actively embrace structured dialogue, positioning peaceful cooperation as the bedrock for the Niger Delta’s long-term economic transformation.