The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has taken a major administrative step by inaugurating a Project Verification and Payment Committee, aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of its projects and financial obligations across the Niger Delta region.
The decision was approved by the Commission’s management under the leadership of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Samuel Ogbuku. It follows a key resolution reached during the 9th meeting of the 7th Governing Board of the NDDC, which was held on December 8, 2025. At that meeting, the Board directed management to put in place a structured mechanism to comprehensively verify projects before payments are processed.
According to the Commission, the newly constituted committee is tasked with verifying a wide range of projects executed by the NDDC, including infrastructure development, rural and urban electrification, environmental remediation, desilting of waterways, and water supply schemes. The outcome of this verification exercise will form the basis for capturing accurate project data into the Directorate of Finance and Accounts’ digitised payment platform.
The move is closely tied to a broader Federal Government policy requiring all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to fully digitalise their operations and transition to paperless systems by December 31, 2025. In line with this directive, the NDDC is repositioning its internal processes to ensure that project records, financial documentation, and payment approvals are handled electronically.
Management explained that it became necessary to carry out a detailed verification of completed projects so that relevant information—such as project scope, execution status, contractor details, and certification records—can be properly uploaded into the Commission’s electronic database. This database will serve as the backbone for e-payment processing and future financial audits.
The Project Verification and Payment Committee is expected to conduct an extensive review of all completed projects undertaken by the Commission from inception up to January 2023. By covering such a wide timeline, the NDDC aims to address longstanding issues related to incomplete documentation, disputed project claims, and delayed payments to contractors.
Officials say the exercise will help establish a single, reliable source of truth for project and payment records, thereby reducing inconsistencies and eliminating opportunities for manual manipulation. Once verified and captured on the digitised platform, projects will be eligible for payment processing in accordance with existing financial regulations.
The Commission noted that the verification process will not be limited to physical inspection alone. It will also involve a careful review of contractual documents, project approvals, completion certificates, and compliance with agreed specifications. This holistic approach is intended to ensure that only genuinely completed and compliant projects are cleared for payment.
By instituting this committee, the NDDC also hopes to strengthen public confidence in its operations and demonstrate its commitment to prudent financial management. Over the years, the Commission has faced criticism over project execution and payment backlogs, and management believes that digitisation and thorough verification will significantly address these challenges.
The committee is chaired by the Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye, reflecting the central role of financial oversight in the exercise. Other members include the Executive Director of Projects, Sir Victor Antai, who brings technical and project execution expertise to the team.
Also appointed is the Director of Legal Services, Mr Victor Arenyeka, who will serve as Secretary, ensuring that the committee’s activities comply with legal and regulatory frameworks. The Director of Project Monitoring and Supervision, Mr Gbenga Omowanle, is included to provide insights from on-ground project assessments and monitoring records.
Further strengthening the committee are the Director of Finance and Accounts, Mrs Kunemofa Asu, whose department will manage the digitised payment platform, and the Director of Internal Audit, Mr Lucky Ogbuji, who will provide internal control and risk management oversight throughout the process.
The NDDC emphasised that the composition of the committee reflects a deliberate effort to bring together technical, financial, legal, and audit perspectives. This multidisciplinary approach is expected to enhance the credibility and effectiveness of the verification exercise.
Management reaffirmed its commitment to aligning the Commission’s operations with federal reforms on digital governance and financial transparency. The verification and digitisation initiative, it said, is not only about clearing outstanding payments but also about building a more efficient and accountable system for future project implementation.
The Project Verification and Payment Committee is expected to commence work immediately and submit periodic reports to management and the Governing Board, as the Commission continues its efforts to deliver sustainable development across the Niger Delta region.
