The growing destruction of development projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has been linked to poor community ownership, prompting the commission to intensify sensitisation efforts across the region.

Officials of the commission on Monday expressed concern that many communities have failed to protect infrastructure they requested from the agency, resulting in widespread vandalisation and deterioration of critical facilities.

The concerns were raised in Port Harcourt during a one-day Capacity Building Programme for Stakeholders in Rivers State on Community Ownership and Protection of NDDC Projects, organised by the Corporate Affairs Directorate of the commission.

The programme, facilitated by Peace and Development Projects brought together community stakeholders to discuss ways of safeguarding development projects executed across the Niger Delta.

Speaking at the event, the Director of Rivers Operations of the NDDC, Engr. Okezie Ule, said the training was aimed at equipping community representatives with the knowledge needed to safeguard infrastructure provided by the commission.

Ule, who represented the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the current management had embarked on numerous people-oriented projects across the region, making it necessary for communities to take responsibility for protecting them.

According to him, the commission has observed with concern how many completed projects, including critical facilities requested by communities, are abandoned or destroyed shortly after completion.

He lamented that some facilities such as solar street lights, which have improved safety and visibility in many communities, were being vandalised by criminals shortly after installation.

“We have seen with dismay how many of our lofty projects, which communities strongly solicited for, are left to ruin,” Ule said.

“In some cases, solar lights that were installed to illuminate communities were vandalised barely a week after they were handed over.”

He attributed the trend partly to the perception among some residents that projects executed by the NDDC belong solely to the commission rather than to the communities benefiting from them.

According to him, such attitudes have contributed to the neglect and destruction of infrastructure that should ordinarily be protected by host communities.

Ule warned that continued vandalisation would force the commission to divert funds meant for new projects to repairs and replacements, thereby slowing development efforts in the region.

“When funds that should be used for new projects are diverted to repair vandalised infrastructure, it affects our operations and delays development in other communities,” he said.

He therefore urged residents to take collective responsibility for safeguarding projects within their communities and warned criminals to stay away from NDDC facilities.

Also speaking, the Rivers State Representative on the NDDC board, Sir Tony Okocha, said the capacity building programme was necessary to strengthen community participation in the protection of development projects.

Okocha, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Technical Matters, Mr. Chibuzor Kwelle, noted that many NDDC interventions, particularly solar street lighting projects, have helped to reduce criminal activities in several communities.

He commended communities that have already taken steps to safeguard infrastructure within their areas and encouraged others to emulate such efforts.

Earlier, the Project Coordinator of Peace and Development Projects, Francis Abayomi, said the training was designed to encourage communities to take ownership of projects provided for their development.

Abayomi stressed that sustainable development in the Niger Delta would only be achieved when communities actively participate in protecting public infrastructure meant to improve their living conditions.