THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE NIGER-DELTA DEVLEOPMENT COMMISSION IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION
ABSTRACT
    This project, studies the socio-economic impact of the Niger Delta development commission in the Niger Delta regions.
    Consequently, all the impacts and developmental changes were examined to determine the effectiveness of the commission interventions programmes. This project work is prosecuted into the five chapters. The first chapter of this work comprise of the introduction, state of problem, objective of the study, hypotheses of study, significance of study, scope of study, limitation of study, and definition of terms.
    Chapter two deals with the literature review and theoretical framework. Chapter three talks of the research methodology, population of the study, data analysis, research design and source of data. Chapter four talks of the evolution, programmes and prospects, and appraisal of the performance of NDDC. Finally, chapter five attempts to draw conclusion based on the findings of the inquiry.  
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study    -    
1.2    Statement of the research problem    -    
1.3    Aims and objective of the study    -        
1.4    Hypotheses of study    -    
1.5    Significance of the study     -    -
1.6    Scope of study     -    -    -    
1.7    Limitation of the study     -
1.8    Definition of terms     -
References     -
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK
2.1    Introduction    -
2.2    History and stages/phase of development in
The Niger delta    -
2.3    Niger Delta development board    -    
2.4    River basin development authority    -
2.5    Oil mineral producing areas development
Commission (Ompadec)     
2.6    Challenges of these agencies    
2.7    Effects of poor development    
2.8    Theoretical framework      
References     
CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1     Introduction    
3.2     Research design        
3.3     Population of this study    
3.4     Data gathering method    
3.5     The sample and sampling technique    -        
3.6     Data analysis    
    References
CHAPTER FOUR
4.1     The evolution and origin of NDDC         
4.2     An overview of NDDC    -      
4.3     Programmes and prospects of NDDC         
4.4     NDDC and conflict resolution    -
4.5     Appraisal of the performance of NDDC        
4.6     The regional development master plan–NDDC    
    References     
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1     Summary of the research findings        
5.2     Recommendation     -
5.3     Conclusion        
Bibliography        
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1     BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The Niger Delta Region of Nigeria is a unique region. As the world’s third largest wetland, it is characterized by significant biological diversity. It also contains the bulk of proven oil reserves.
The region is situated in the southern part of Nigeria and bordered to the south by the Atlantic Ocean and to the East by Cameroon. The region represents about 12% of Nigeria’s total surface area and as at 2006, the population of the inhabitants of the region is estimated at about 28 million. The region comprises of nine states namely; Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo Ondo and Rivers.
The Niger Delta region is the Region that produces the oil wells which Nigeria depends upon. For instance, there is oil, natural gas, Exxon Mobil, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (APDC), Chevon –Texaco, The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Agip and Total and ELF. The oil and gas are the backbone of the Nigerian economy, accounting for over 90% of total foreign exchange revenue. The number of producing companies has now increased to 11, with a total of 159 oil fields, which produce from 1481 oil wells. Presently, the shell petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) Still accounts for more than half of the total production.
However, the wells do not show in the standard of living of the people. Because no good roads, electricity, schools,   markets, health service, education, banks, good houses, telecommunication etc. though the region is a major source of oil revenue which account  for about 96 percent of Nigeria’s foreign earnings, it is paradoxically the least –developed area in the country (Agbu 2005; Jike 2004, 2005; Omoweh 2001; Ovwasa 1999). The region is chronically poor because of this, government has decided to develop the region. By establishing several agencies in the region, such as the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB), the River Basin Development Authority, the Oil Mineral Producing Area Development Commission (OMPADEC) and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) (Agbu 2005:88; Frynas 2001: 37; Okonta and Oro 2006; Sanya 2006).
Despite the willingness or responses of the government to develop the region, this does not seem to have abated the problems significantly. The socio–economic conditions of the people remain the same and at worst hardly bearable, leading to more agitations and conflicts (Obi 1999; Omoweh 2001).
This work is to find out why, despite the responses of the government to develop the region, there is still no development. Even when most of the oil and gas operating companies in the region have various community development programmes to support development in their area of operations, it failed completely in the implementation of these loudable programmes.
1.2    STATEMENT OF THE RESEARCH PROBLEM
The NDDC, Just like other development agencies OMPADEC and NDDB was established to tackle the socio–economic problems of the Nigeria Delta region and facilitate rapid development, industrialization and creation of jobs for the growing population in the area. Although the NDDC has been rated low in performance, the commission needs to be provided with more funds.
Furthermore, the achievements of NDDC cannot be referred to as insignificant, since the duration of the commission is not enough to ascertain or evaluate the outcome of projects carried out by the NDDC. It requires sufficient funding in order for the commission to carryout its objectives and aspirations. The NDDC, as a commission was allocated the sum of N120 million within a space of four years (2003-2007), which amounts to N30 million perineum. And from this it can be deduced that each member state within the above period stipulation gets about N3.3 billion, these funds are so menial compared to the task facing the NDDC.
Finally, the misinformation about the role of NDDC in the Niger Delta by the people of the region. The NDDC was created to proffer a lasting solution to the socio–economic difficulties of the region. The international community and competent assessors alike has commended the commission on its commitment to the fulfillment of its mandate. However, the volatile nature of the Niger Delta region still poses a big problem to the commission.      
1.3     AIMS AND OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
This research work is geared towards achieving the following objective-:
i)    To determine the role, responsibility and impact of the commission on the Niger Delta region.
ii)    To evaluate, critically examine and comparatively analyze the statutory functions of the NDDC in relation to its performance in the Nigeria Delta region.
iii)    To make recommendation on how the NDDC can best perform its functions to accomplish its goals on the Niger Delta region.
    1.4    HYPOTHESES OF STUDY
Hypothesis is the tentative statement of the relationship between two or more variable. A hypothesis could be null (Ho) or positive (Hi)
Hypothesis 1
Ho–The NDDC has not contributed immensely to the development of the Niger Delta region
Hi–The NDDC has contributed immensely to the development of the Niger Delta region.
Ho–The NDDC is not adequately funded by the federal government.
Hi–The NDDC is adequately funded by the federal government.    
1.5    SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
In the Niger Delta Region, the level of both economic and social development is nothing to write home about. The people of Niger Delta have suffered a lot in the hands of oil companies operating in the region in addition to government neglect and marginalization.
The following are the importance of this research work
i)    To draw the federal government’s attention to the urgent need for rapid economic and social development of the Niger Delta Region.
ii)    To access and throw more light on the effort/ progress of the NDDC in the Niger Delta Region development.
iii)    To proffer solution to the militants illegal activities (attacks) on the facilities of the Oil Companies Operating in the region.
iv)    To establish the importance of the need for a peaceful resolution of the disputes between the federal Governments, the oil companies, the militants and the host communities in the Niger Delta Region.
v)    To make the people of the Niger Delta Region to acknowledge the importance of peace and the presence of  these oil companies in their region which will further attract more investors both foreign and local to the Niger Delta Region and in addition bring social and economic development to the region.   
1.6    SCOPE OF STUDY
In every Research, the scope of study is basically the coverage area of which the research is carried out.
However for this research, the scope of study is the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria which is made up of the following states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers respectively.
The scope attempts to analyze the Socio–economic impact of the NDDC in the Niger Delta Region.
1.7    LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The study is not free from obstacles that tend to cause deterrent to the exhaustive and through research that should have been pivotal as regard to this work. These limitations include the following:
i.    INACCESSIBILITY  TO RELEVANT INFORMATION: As part of effort to carryout this research, the researcher were denied relevant information about the operation, and financing of NDDC
ii.    FINANCE: In the course of carrying out this project, finance was a major challenge as this inhibits the smooth execution of this project.
iii.    TIME: For a versatile research of this nature, a favourable and considerable period to time is required to carryout this research.  
1.8    DEFINITION OF TERMS
-    NIGER DELTA REGION-: It has been defined broadly or narrowly based on certain geographical and political calculations. Proponents of the geographical definition see the region in a triangular shape with the summit between Ndoni and Aboh coming down toward Qua Iboe River   at Eket in the East and the Benin River in the West with its base nestling the Atlantic Coast between the Bights of Benin and Biafar (Aghedo, I and Osumah, O. (2009).
-    DEVELOPMENT: According to Walter Rodney (1972) development implies increase skills and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self discipline, responsibility and material well.
-    IMPACT: The action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another.
-    STANDARD OF LIVING: Is the level of wealth, happiness, comfort, material goods and necessities available to a certain of individuals, community or nations.
-    SOCIO–ECONOMIC:- Relating to, or involving a combination of social and economic factors.   
REFERENCES
Agbu (2005) Oil and environmental Conflicts in Nigeria
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Aghedo, .I. and Osumah, O. (2009) “When the Panacea
becomes the problem. “The Niger Delta Questions and the Federal Solution in Nigeria” In Nigerian Journal of Politics and public policy. Vol. 3 p. 105.
Frynas, J. (2001). Corporate and state responses to
Anti–Oil Protest in the Niger Delta, African Affairs 100 (398), p. 27-54.
Jike, U. (2004) Environmental Degradation, Social
Disequilibrium and the Dilemma of sustainable Development in the Niger Delta of Nigeria, Journal of Black Studies 34(5) 686-701.
Obi, I. (1999). The crisis of Environmental Governance
In the Niger Delta, 1985-1996. AAPS Occasional paper series, 3(3).
Omoweh (2001), Shell, the state and underdevelopment
of the Niger Delta of Nigeria: A study in Environmental/Degradation. Trenton, NJ: Africa world Press. P. 111.
Ovwasa (1999), Oil and the Minority Question. In issues
in contemporary Political Economy of Nigeria, Edited by Hassan A. Saliu Ilorin: Haytee Books, pp. 81-98.
Walter, R. (1972), How Europe Underdeveloped African,
    London: University Press, p. 116.
Okonta, and Oro (2006). “Shell, Human right and oil”. In
the Niger Delta Region, Africa Reviews of Books. Retrieved 6 January 2007 from www.codesria.org /links/publication.