EVALUATION OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, 2000-2015

ABSTRACT

Over the decades, the Nigerian government established a range of institutions and initiatives to address poverty, youth restiveness, conflict and under-development in the Niger Delta region. This study is an Evaluation of the Human Capital Development Programs of the Niger Delta Development Commission, 2000-2015. The objectives of the study were to examine the nature of Human capital development programs (HCDPs) ofNDDC, identify the beneficiariesof NDDC‟s HCDPs, assess the impact of NDDC‟s HCDPs on the people, examine the people perception of NDDC‟s HCDPs and identify the challenges of NDDC‟s HCDPs. Literature were reviewed in line with the study‟s objectives. Human capital theory served as the theoretical framework for the study. The study was carried out across three local government areas of Delta State; namely, Udu, Uvwie and Warri South. The study adopted quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection. The quantitative data instrument was astructured questionnaire. Four hundred copies of the questionnaire were administered to respondents across the three local government areas, out of which, three hundred and seventy-seven copies were returned. In-addition, the qualitative technique of in-depth interview (IDI) was used. To this end, ten key informants were interviewed. The quantitative data was analyzed through simple statistical analysis and interpretation, while the qualitative data was analyzed in a thematicform. On the nature of NDDC‟s HCDPs, the study revealed that,scholarship and skill acquisition were the most provided HCDPs. The study further revealed that, the poor, illiterate and rural areas benefited less from NDDC‟s HCDPs. The study also found that, the HCDPs of NDDC have not substantially impacted on the socio-economic development of the people as poverty is high and the anticipated peace and stability goals of NDDC‟s HCDPsare yet to be attained. The result of the study further indicated that NDDC‟s HCDPs is seriously affected by corruption and favoritism. On the basis of the study‟s findings, it was recommended that, NDDC‟s leadership must have a strong political will to address corruption through leadership by example. In addition, persons of proven integrity should manage the HCDPs of NDDC. Also, the HCDPs of NDDC should be diversified to include agriculture, particularly fishery and poultry. The study also recommended that, the rural areas should be carried along through the establishment of more training centers in those areas

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1         Background of Study

The socio-economic development of a society is vital for its progress and sustainability. In view of this, the various political regimes in Nigeria have embarked on development projects in the Niger Delta region that were executed by various commissions. This was aimed at improving the living conditions of the people in order to address problems of underdevelopment. Gandu (2011) asserted that there arewidespreadconcerns and acknowledgementthat unemployment is one of the major problems in the Niger Delta. Also, due to the neglect of oil-producing communities by successive governments in Nigeria, poverty is endemic in the region. Economic activities have been destroyed by oil-prospecting operations.In addition, only a tiny few individuals (Chiefs/elites) are benefiting from contracts awarded by oil companies to the detriment of the general community (NDDC Act, 2000).

These prevailing conditions have resulted to militancy and youth restiveness in the region which haveaffected meaningful socio-economic development of the region. The prevailing situation of poverty and human development according to Egbogah (2010)paints adismal picture, particularly when the region is compared with other oil – producing regions in the world. The results of this low level of human capital development program are disillusionment and frustration. In 2000, the United Nation Development Programmes(UNDP)observed most of the problems facing the economy of Niger Delta region are a reflection of the poor quality of the human development and management. There have been several attempts to develop the Niger Delta region right from the pre-independence period. The first wasWillink‟s Commission of Enquiry of 1958 to investigate whether or not the grievances and demands of the Niger Delta region were true or ill-founded. The commission submitted its report to the British parliament on July 30, 1958.The reportindicated that the Niger Delta region was “poor, backward and neglected”. Thus, the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) was established by an Act of parliament in April 1961. It became clear that after nine years of its establishment, NDDB did not develop the region, as a result of inherent structural administrative and funding problems (Dappabiriye,1995).In an effort to develop the region, subsequent bodies were set up. The Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, (NDBDA) was established in 1976 (Etekpe, 2009). It failed woefully due to organizational problem and representation problem based on the fact that none of the board members appointed by the federal government to run the project came from Niger Delta region(National Development Review, 2009).

During the civilian administration of President ShehuShagari, the administration decided to reinstate the principle of derivation and pay 1.5% ofrevenue to the oil- producing areas. It also set up a Presidential Task Force to administer the fund. That amount was considered inadequate and the level of restiveness intensified.This compelled the president Ibrahim Babangida to raise it to three percent (3%) and to set up the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in July 1992 to administer it. Despite the huge resourcesinjected into OMPADEC,it left a legacy of uncompleted projects (Ekpiwhre, 1998).During the Abacha/Abdulsalami regime, the Niger Delta got thirteen percent. It must be stated that, most of these derivation funds have been badly utilized by the civilian governors in the Niger Delta States (Okunnu,2008).A year after President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged as the President, he established the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), with the sole mandate of developing the oil- rich Niger Delta (NDDC Profile, 2001). In September 2008, late President UmaruYar‟Adu‟a who succeeded President Obasanjo, announced the formation of a Niger Delta Ministry, with the Niger Delta Development Commission to become aparastatal under the ministry.

Human Capital Development Programs is aimed at ensuring that human resource endowments of a country are skilled, knowledgeable, innovative and productive to engender economic growth through further optimal exploitations of resources.The world over, it was held and quite credibly too that true development begins and ends with man. This underpins the critical importance of man in society‟s development process. It is in realization of this that the NDDC administration quite wisely laid emphasis on human capital development aspiration and as the anchor for berthing of its Delta beyond oil voyage.

However, it is widely asserted that NDDC has not bequeathed significant improvement in welfare of the Niger Delta people. For most part, the legacy of NDDC programs translates into a picture of missed opportunities, low value for money and not least, enormous disappointment by the people. The inhabitants of the region, which include elders, women, children andyouths, had resorted to various forms of resistance due to their continued low level of development. These have resulted in demonstrations and protests, petition writing, legal activism, hostage- taking, kidnapping, pipeline damage and vandalism that have assumed new and alarming dimension (Oviasuiyi and Uwadiae, 2010).

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

There has been the contention that the people of the Udu,Uvwie, and Warri South LGAs, who are indigenes of the region, lack the requisite skills to get engaged in the oil and gas companies. In 2002, a string of demonstrations were carried out by women whoprotestedthe lack of employment opportunities offered to their sons and husbands by the oil industry. In addition, some Nigerian and foreign non-governmental organizations have complained that few local people are employed by the oil companies, except in lowly paid security or catering capacities. The NDDC was established to tackle these concerns and in an attempt to satisfy the demands of the Niger Delta‟s population,it focused attention on humancapitaldevelopment programs. It is in this context that, this study evaluates the human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South local government areas of Delta State.

Human capital development is very important to address the current skills shortages and the increasing demands of advanced expertise needed in the development of the Niger Delta region. The inhabitants of the Niger Delta regions are required to have specialized skills to develop their area, contribute and participate actively in their own development (NDDC Profile, 2001).NDDC was constituted to serve the oil producing communities as a result of the lingering crises and abysmal performance of extant commissions in the region. In order to engender meaningful socio economic development, NDDC introduced human capital development programs of NDDC with the emphasis of providing the requisite skills needed by the teeming youth of the region to effectively participate in the economy of the region. The commission has adopted a new model that is centered on human beings for the development of the region. In pursuance of this model, NDDC put in place human capital development programs, skill-acquisition, computer training and vocational training programs. The imperative for a new development agenda arises from the fact that the past development plans had failed to adequately address the region‟s needs in spite of the efforts of the federal and state governments, the (NDDC) and oil companies. So far, NDDC has achieved meager results due to failures of transparency and accountability. Misplaced projects, faults in implementation strategy, duplication of project and non-participation of the expected beneficiaries have emerged as problems of the commission amongst others. .Idemudia (2007) asserts that the capacity of NDDC to deliver on its partnership responsibility is undermined by political interference. This problem has led Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, the former managing director and chief executive officer of NDDC in 2006 to state that, the only way to develop the region is to remove politics from developmental efforts. Given the socio-political characteristics of Niger Delta region, it was not surprising that NDDC became the honey pot of political actors, traditional rulers, retired generals and their cronies, who saw it as their foot hold to the national cake. Ogbogo (2008) argues that the huge amount of resources required has led to neglect of the region by successive governments. Also, most communities are economically impoverished and feel neglected in terms of development, no consideration is given to host communities with regard to employment and contract works, which could have created more harmony and greater sense of participation and involvement of the human capital development programs of NDDC. In Udu, Uvwie and Warri South LGAs of Delta State, the result of poor development of human capital development programs have been disillusionment, frustration among the people about their increasing deprivation and deep-rooted mistrust. Long years of neglect and conflict have fostered a siege mentality, especially among youths who feel they are condemned to a future without hope. Decliningeconomic performance leading to rising unemployment or underemployment and the lack of access to basic necessities of life like water, shelter food and clothing are challenges confronting the youths in the State.

Having noted these concerns regarding NDDC, can its human development programs and the manner it is executed be said to adequately fulfill its mandate of providing the requisite skills needed by the people of the region to meet the aspired socio-economic development. More so, there is limited knowledge on the evaluation of NDDC‟s human capital development program as most researchers have extensively dwelt on evaluating the commission‟s challenges and the amnesty program. For instance,Akinwale (2010),focused on amnesty and human capital development, John (2011), impact of NDDC as perceived by ordinary Niger Deltans, Saliu, and Omotola, (2007) assessed OMPADEC and NDDC‟s response to insecurity. It is therefore, important to evaluate the human capital development programs of the NDDC in order to fill the existing gap in knowledge. This study examines the human capital development programs of NDDC by identifying the categories of beneficiaries of the programs;to know whether the program is creating a class of new elites in the area or not; assessing the impact and public perception of theprogramsand the challenges in implementing it. The essence is to know whether or not this strategy of development has met the yearning of the people.

1.3Research Questions

1. What is the nature of human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South LGAs of Delta State?
2. What categoriesofpeoplesbenefit from human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu,Uvwie and Warri South?
3. Howhas the human capital development programs of NDDC impacted on the socio economic lives of the people ofUdu, Uvwie and Warri South?
4. What are thepeople‟s perception ofhuman capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwieand Warri South?
5. What are the challenges of human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie      and Warri South?

1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The aim of the study is to evaluate human capital development programs ofNDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South. However, the specific objectives of thestudy are asfollows;

1. To examine the nature of human capital development programs of NDDCin Udu, Uvwie and Warri South LGAs of Delta State.
2. To identify the categories of people that benefit from the human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South.
3. To assessthe impactofhuman capital development programs of NDDC on the socio-economic lives of the people of Udu, Uvwie and Warri South.
4. To examine the people‟s perception of human capital development programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South.
5. To identify the challenges of human capital development Programs of NDDC in Udu, Uvwie and Warri South.

1.5         Significance of the Study

NDDC activities have been vastly studied or researched by different scholars or interests. However, the degree, direction and dimension of development activities differ from one society to another. The study therefore is significant in the following aspects: First, it will fill the knowledge gap identified with regard evaluation of NDDC‟s human capital development program.

Second, it would provide information aimed at improving human capital development programs of Niger DeltaDevelopment Commission. Third, it would provide a scientific basis for policy making by governmental and non-governmental institutions toward better understanding of development strategies. Fourth, it would provide an evidence-based data on the human capital development programsof NDDC. Fifth, the recommendations of the study would be relevant to government, non-governmental organization, students and researchers in development studies.

1.6         Scope of the Study

The research was basically confined to evaluate human capital development programs of NDDC from 2000-2015. It covered the nature of HCDPs of NDDC, categories of beneficiaries of HCDPs of NDDC, socio-economic impact of HCDPs of NDDC, people perceptions of HCDPs of NDDC, the challenges of HCDPs of NDDC and possible way of improving HCDPs of NDDC in the study areas, The study was conducted in Delta State. However, the focus is on three selected local government areas within the State namely: Udu, Uvwie and Warri South. The purpose of selecting these local government areas is because of their proximity to the oil companies. In addition, the area is densely populated with indigenes seeking for employment in the oil companies. The research focusedonthe evaluation ofhuman capital development programs of Niger Delta Development Commission.

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