Vandalism: NDDC tasks communities on collective ownership of public assets

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has raised concern over the increasing rate of vandalism and theft of public infrastructure across the Niger Delta communities, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to sustainable development in the region.
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‎ According to the commission, the destruction, neglect and sabotage of projects executed for the benefit of host communities were undermining progress in critical sectors such as electricity, roads and other essential amenities designed to improve living standards.
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‎Speaking at a one-day capacity-building engagement programme for stakeholders in Okitipupa, Ondo State, the NDDC Executive Director, Corporate Services, Ifedayo Abegunde, decried what he described as a disturbing pattern of vandalism affecting projects delivered by the commission.
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‎Abegunde, who was represented by the Ondo State Director of the commission, Engr. Kunle Karaki, said the destruction of public assets had become a major setback to development efforts in the Niger Delta.
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‎According to him, the engagement programme was organised to deepen awareness among stakeholders and foster a culture of shared responsibility in safeguarding infrastructure across the region.
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‎He stressed that community ownership goes beyond mere usage of facilities, noting that it requires active stewardship, vigilance, prompt reporting of irregularities and collaboration in maintenance.
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‎He said “Regrettably, we have observed instances where vandalism, theft, neglect and insufficient community engagement have compromised valuable assets intended to improve collective wellbeing. Such setbacks not only delay progress but also diminish the returns on resources committed for the benefit of our people.
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‎”It is in recognition of this reality that we have convened this compaign. Our objective is clear to deepen awareness, encourage a sense of shared responsibility, and promote a culture of ownership that ensures every completed project is protected, maintained, and optimized for present and future generations.
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‎“When communities embrace projects as their own, they become custodians of progress, transforming public infrastructure into symbols of pride, unity, and collective achievement.”
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‎He further noted that through its Corporate Affairs Directorate and state offices, the commission remains committed to strengthening partnerships with host communities to ensure the sustainability of projects.
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‎Abegunde reiterated that the NDDC has continued to address socio-economic and environmental challenges in oil-producing communities through the provision of roads, bridges, schools, health facilities, water schemes, solar street lights, as well as youth empowerment and capacity-building initiatives.
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‎Meanwhile, in a paper titled “Strengthening Community Ownership Framework for Sustainable NDDC Project Monitoring and Protection Against Vandalism and Theft,” Mr. Ajibola Shekoni, of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies, Lagos State University, linked the persistent vandalism of NDDC projects to both security lapses and deeper sociological issues.
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‎The paper, presented by the former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko, Eniola Akinsola, argued that communities often feel disconnected from the wealth generated from their lands, especially when excluded from needs assessments and project design stages.
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‎“When communities are left out at the initial stages, they tend to view infrastructure as government property rather than communal heritage. The absence of psychological ownership renders projects vulnerable to vandalism,” he noted.
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‎Also speaking, the NDDC Director of Peace and Development Project (PEDEP), Francis Abayomi, urged stakeholders to shun acts of destruction and instead support efforts to secure and monitor public assets.
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‎One of the participants, Pastor Ogundairo Emiloju, called on the commission to strengthen community engagement before executing projects, while condemning vandalism and sabotage.
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‎He stressed that greater consultation and quality project delivery would encourage residents to take ownership and protect infrastructure meant for their benefit.
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‎He noted “It is important to engage the community on what they want. If you give us what we want, it would give us mental alertness to watch over it.
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‎”Most of the jobs they executed are substandard jobs and unfortunately they are indigenes. The projects are substandard because there is no community participations. Most of the projects are also political.
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‎”You also awarded projects to political patroniser. The security of every of these projects should be handover to the leaders of the community. There should be a department of NDDC for maintainance.”