𝗡𝗗𝗗𝗖 𝗠𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 50% 𝗢𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗜𝗻 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗮

𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘,

27𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 2026.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has raised concern over the widespread vandalism and abandonment of development projects across the Niger Delta, revealing that more than half of its executed projects have been affected.

The disclosure, based on findings from a forensic audit, indicated that over 13,000 out of 19,421 projects implemented by the Commission have been vandalised or left abandoned, significantly undermining development efforts in the region.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement, NDDC capacity-building facilitator, Francis Abayomi, described the situation as alarming and unsustainable. He warned that continued neglect and destruction of public infrastructure could erode the impact of government interventions.

Abayomi emphasised the need for communities to take ownership of projects within their domains, noting that many residents still perceive them as government property rather than community assets.

According to him, “Communities must understand that these are their projects. Failure to protect them ultimately undermines their own development.”

The Commission attributed the rising cases of vandalism to factors such as lack of community ownership, poor awareness, and weak stakeholder engagement, which have contributed to indifference and, in some cases, deliberate destruction.

Also speaking, NDDC Assistant Director, Dr Sweet Odunlami, and the Edo State Director of the Commission, Mercy Babawale, warned that persistent vandalism could stall development, waste public resources, and deprive communities of critical infrastructure.

They urged community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders to take proactive steps in safeguarding public assets and ensuring the sustainability of projects in their areas.

The Commission reiterated that failure by communities to protect such infrastructure may result in reduced intervention efforts, stressing that the long-term development of the region depends largely on collective responsibility.

NDDC further disclosed that it is intensifying community engagement and awareness initiatives aimed at promoting ownership and protection of projects across the region.