NDDC Urges Host Communities to Safeguard Projects Against Vandalism
The Niger Delta Development Commission has called on residents of Ondo State to protect the commission’s projects located within their communities against theft and vandalism.
The commission expressed regret that many of its completed projects have been stolen or destroyed by members of the host communities.
The Executive Director of Corporate Services at the NDDC, Mr. Ifedayo Abegunde, made this call on Wednesday during a one-day capacity-building engagement program for stakeholders held in Okitipupa town.
Abegunde, who was represented by the state director of the commission, Mr. Kunle Karaki, emphasized that vandalism and theft undermine development efforts and slow progress in sectors such as electricity and road infrastructure.
“Regrettably, we have observed instances where vandalism, theft, neglect and insufficient community engagement have compromised valuable assets intended to improve collective well-being. Such setbacks not only delay progress but also diminish the returns on resources committed for the benefit of our people,” he stated.
He further lamented the lack of community ownership over government projects, highlighting instances where projects were destroyed in broad daylight.
“Any NDDC project that is commissioned, everybody believes that the project is a government project. Who is the government? You are the owners and the government in that community. You are the eyes of NDDC in that community. We have recorded a lot of incidents where our projects have been vandalised in broad daylight by members of the community,” the director noted.
He gave a specific example of the destruction in one of the communities.
“Look at the one in Ilaje High School, Igbokoda. Three projects were brought down in the afternoon, and everyone was watching. It has been recorded, and the money has been credited to those projects, whether you like it or not, and you are part of it. There was a time, you will remember, in some communities, all of our solar systems were removed,” he added.
Abegunde stated that the town hall meeting was necessary to discuss ways to safeguard the projects and urged residents to remain vigilant.
“We cannot fold our hands and allow this thing to continue. That is why NDDC has taken it upon itself to organise this type of town hall meeting so that we can open up our minds, make suggestions, and identify grey areas where we can do better,” he said.
“Where we are going now is to remind ourselves that these projects are ours. So when you see anybody wanting to vandalise NDDC projects, take it upon yourself to make the necessary calls so that, at the end of the day, you can even boast that in your community, NDDC has more projects,” he advised.
During the event, Dr. Ajibola Shekoni of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies at Lagos State University delivered a paper attributing the vandalism to both security failures and sociological factors. His paper was presented by Mr. Eniola Akinsola.
“When communities are left out at the initial needs assessment and project design stages, they tend to view the infrastructure as government property instead of communal heritage. The absence of psychological ownership renders projects vulnerable to vandalism,” the paper noted.
