NDDC raises alarm over scammers, begins training on performance mgt system

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has raised the alarm over swarming activities of scammers. The latest target is the Youth Internship Scheme.

This is as the Commission has begun training on performance management system.

Scammers are said to announce to all youths in Nigeria to come collect monthly stipends through account numbers. The trick is for the victims to open account with the suspected scammers.

Now, the NDDC says its attention has been drawn to the fraud, saying the fraudulent activities of the scammers using the Commission’s Youth Internship Scheme as bait to defraud unsuspecting people has reached the management.

According to a statement issued by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs, the NDDC noticed a message circulating on various social media platforms.

According to her, the fraudsters are requesting that “all Nigerian youths” submit their account details to receive a N50,000 monthly stipend from the Commission as beneficiaries of its Youth Internship Scheme.

She said the criminals behind this deception were luring youths into falling for their phantom scheme, hiding behind the cover of NDDC’s various youth empowerment schemes.

“Please note that the NDDC has painstakingly documented beneficiaries, drawn from the Commission’s official database. Many Niger Delta youths registered for the scheme and benefited from the programme.

“We advise members of the public, especially our youths who are seeking genuine means of livelihood, to beware of the antics of scammers and seek information only from the NDDC official channels.

“It is indeed disturbing that some mischievous individuals are trying to take advantage of our youths who are genuinely eager to be gainfully engaged in legitimate activities.”

The NDDC said all inquiries about the NDDC Youth Internship Scheme and other empowerment programmes should be channeled through their official information platforms. “We also encourage beneficiaries of our programmes to verify facts on the NDDC’s official website and social media handles.”

Meanwhile, the NDDC says it has begun a performance management system training to strengthen the capacity of its key personnel. The scheme is also to equip them with essential skills, and provide a structured roadmap for cascading the Performance Management System (PMS) in the Commission.

Speaking during the three-day training for directors and change champions in Port Harcourt, Patterson Ogon, the NDDC Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, stated that the training marks the start of a series of sessions aimed at enhancing overall efficiency and accountability in the Commission.

He explained: “This training serves as a foundational step in the transformative journey initiated by the federal government to introduce PMS across all ministries, departments, and agencies. It is essential for fostering accountability, transparency, and result-oriented governance in the public sector.”

Ogon highlighted the crucial role of PMS in delivering improved service outcomes, noting that the previously used Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) system had become ineffective.

“APER has been scrapped in the public service, as directed by the Federal Executive Council, and we must embrace PMS to establish a merit-based system that delivers value,” he reiterated.

The Director further noted the introduction of key performance indicators (KPIs), ministerial scorecards, and clear performance targets, all designed to drive results with precision and focus.

Earlier, James Fole, the Director II Admin and Human Resources, said the workshop underscores the Commission’s commitment to addressing inefficiency and delivering quality service in line with the national development plan.

Fole added that the training aims to ensure all personnel have a thorough understanding of PMS, which will ultimately elevate service delivery standards across the board.

“The training is the first of a series of sessions that will continue over the coming weeks, including sectoral retreats and deeper dives into performance management practices,” he said.

He added that the training would equip participants with the knowledge to effectively monitor, measure, and reward performance, ensuring alignment between individual and institutional goals and national development priorities.

Presenting a paper titled “Overview of PMS and Key Terminologies,” Emmanuel Ocheche Peters, one of the resource persons, said the Performance Management System will enable the Commission to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions.