Nigerian journalist, Mr. Ibanga Isine, sees the perception of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as ‘cash cow’ caused by politicians as unhealthy.
Isine, who spoke during the three-day Capacity building workshop for NDDC Corporate Affairs Department in Uyo, Akwa Ibom capital, said this perception by people poses negative image to the commission.
The media manager lamented that politicians have hijacked the Commission that supposed to be a change agent to their selfish ambition.
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Speaking on the topic: Peculiar Challenges of Public Communication in the Niger Delta Region, the ex-lecturer of American University of Nigeria, Yola in Adamawa State, noted that a survey shows that “there was absolute no good perception for NDDC.”
He urged the board members and staffers to work hard to change the negative image of the commission to boost its performance rating and confidence among the benefiting communities.
On challenges confronting the NDDC, Isine mentioned lack of policy framework, public engagement is not prioritised, and dearth of spontaneous approach to public communication by the staffers.
According to him, ‘‘One of the problems in our country is that there is no engagement with the people before a project is done. NDDC is yet to really engage the people. The reason we do not do well as a country is because we are not engaging.
‘‘NDDC is one of the worst places to work and engage with. People fight for their personal interest and not the interest of the people,” he added.
