By Emmanuel Ukudolo I Tuesday, July 14,2026
PORT HARCOURT – The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reaffirmed its commitment to strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act, unveiling a digitalized contract award system and an e-procurement platform designed to eradicate corruption, fake documentation, and manual delays.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a capacity-building training on public procurement for the commission’s executive management and directors in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
According to Dr. Ogbuku, the transition to a digital ecosystem is a strategic move to restore credibility to the interventionist agency.
E-Procurement to End Fake Award Letters, EFCC Scrutiny
Addressing the participants, Dr. Ogbuku revealed that the digitisation of contract award letters has become necessary to curb the circulation of counterfeit documents.
He admitted that in the past, several directors and service providers had faced investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to forged or incorrect procurement documentation.
”We introduced the E-procurement system to combat corruption, promote accountability, limit human error, and eliminate lengthy manual processes,” Ogbuku said. “The NDDC has come of age. We must strictly adhere to government rules and policies to effectively drive the development of the Niger Delta region.”
The NDDC boss urged directors to be meticulous, ensuring all vendor proposals and procurement demands align directly with the commission’s approved annual procurement plans and budget.
He emphasized that procurement plans must be guided by the region’s dynamic Needs Assessment, which dictates the commission’s developmental focus and vision each year.
Capacity Building for Prudent Resource Management
In his remarks, the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, underscored the vital role of continuous capacity building for public officers tasked with managing government funds.
Echoing this sentiment, the NDDC Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, explained that the training was curated to sharpen the skills of procurement professionals, project managers, and finance officers.
”The NDDC is committed to investing in capacity development initiatives that promote integrity, transparency, and excellence in public procurement, ultimately supporting effective service delivery and good governance,” Dr. Osuji stated.
‘Procurement is to Prevent Corruption, Not Just Fight It’
The facilitator of the training and Pioneer Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Engr. Emeka Eze, delivered a paper on public procurement in Nigeria.
He warned that public procurement remains one of the government activities most vulnerable to corruption.
Engr. Eze reminded the directors of the critical need to play strictly by the rules to avoid legal consequences.
Key Pillars of Public Procurement (Engr. Emeka Eze)
Transparency & Openness — Ensuring bidding processes are clear and public.
Integrity & Fairness — Treating all contractors and service providers equally.
Competition — Encouraging open bidding to get the best value for public funds.
Accountability — Taking responsibility for every naira spent.
Engr. Eze commended the NDDC management for adopting E-procurement, describing the transition as a “game-changer” that will prevent corrupt practices before they occur.
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