Mrs. Mercy Babawale, the Edo State Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), emphasized the need for communities to take ownership of development projects within their areas. Speaking during a stakeholders meeting in Benin on Wednesday, she highlighted that it is the duty of local communities and youth to protect and ensure the sustainability of NDDC initiatives.
Addressing a gathering largely composed of youth representatives from various Niger Delta communities under the theme "Capacity Building Engagement: Community Ownership & Protection of NDDC Projects," Babawale urged participants to actively engage in overseeing the projects implemented in their regions.
She stated, "You must take ownership of these projects. It is your responsibility to ensure that they are developed and maintained effectively."
Babawale clarified that while NDDC introduces these projects, they ultimately belong to the communities once completed, asserting, "We do initiate them, but they are your projects at the community level."
She pointed out that once projects are finished, the local communities assume full ownership, urging them to ensure proper implementation standards are met.
Furthermore, she encouraged participants to report sub-standard work by contractors, insisting that community involvement should begin even before a project's completion to monitor its quality.
"When projects come to your community, they shouldn’t be seen as external entities. You should be involved in their development throughout the process. If you notice any discrepancies in quality, reach out to us and let us know that the work does not meet expectations," she explained.
Babawale referred to previous instances where community feedback led to prompt corrective actions due to quality concerns.
She reaffirmed that the overall goal of these projects is to foster development in the Niger Delta. "We bring these projects to you, and once a contractor is on site, our engineers and technical teams oversee the work to ensure compliance with all standards," she elaborated.
Describing the project initiation process, Babawale explained, "For each project, there is a specific handling process that we adhere to. When a contractor is assigned, we conduct a site assessment, which must involve community representation."
Sir Ovie Mathias, the Project Coordinator, also addressed attendees, urging them to closely monitor ongoing projects in their areas and communicate any challenges they encounter. He highlighted that projects stem from assessments of community needs and advised community members to formally document their requirements for consideration by the commission.
Felix Omoh-Asun
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