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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

NDDC digitises contract letters to curb fraud, EFCC trouble for directors

From The Punch · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has digitized its contract award letters to combat fraud and prevent the circulation of fake documents.
  • This initiative aims to streamline the procurement process, reduce human error, and ensure compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
  • The NDDC is also enhancing capacity building for its management and directors on public procurement procedures.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is taking significant steps to curb corruption and enhance accountability by digitizing its contract award letters. This move aims to prevent the circulation of fraudulent documents and ensure adherence to the Public Procurement Act.

The NDDC introduced the e-procurement system to combat corruption and promote accountability.

— Dr Samuel OgbukuThe NDDC Managing Director explained the purpose behind the commission's adoption of an e-procurement system.

NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku stated that the commission is committed to complying with procurement regulations. He explained that the digitization of contract letters is crucial because many directors and service providers have previously faced issues with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to fake or incorrect documentation.

The introduction of an e-procurement system is intended to combat corruption, promote transparency, and reduce lengthy manual processes. Dr. Ogbuku expressed optimism that this digital transformation will minimize human error and improve the efficiency of project delivery in the Niger Delta region.

The commission’s contract award letters had been digitised to prevent the circulation of fake award letters, acknowledging that many directors and service providers had encountered problems with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in the past due to fake or incorrect documentation.

— Dr Samuel OgbukuDr. Ogbuku detailed the specific reasons for digitizing contract award letters.

To further strengthen its procurement practices, the NDDC is conducting capacity-building training for its executive management and directors. This training ensures that staff fully understand the procurement process, from scrutinizing vendor proposals to aligning procurement plans with the region's needs and the annual budget. Dr. Ogbuku emphasized the importance of prudence in managing public funds and urged directors to strictly adhere to procurement regulations.

Proposals from vendors should be scrutinised in line with the order of priority.

— Dr Samuel OgbukuThe NDDC boss instructed directors on how vendor proposals should be evaluated.

NDDC Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Chief Boma Iyaye, underscored the necessity of capacity building for officials managing public funds. The Director of Procurement, Dr. Chuks Osuji, added that the training aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of all stakeholders involved in the procurement process, reinforcing the NDDC's commitment to integrity, transparency, and excellence.

Procurement plans must align with the region’s needs assessment.

— Dr Samuel OgbukuDr. Ogbuku stressed the importance of aligning procurement plans with the actual needs of the Niger Delta region.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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