Abstract:
ABSTRACT The study was on Niger Delta Development Commission and Socio-economic development of Rivers State, Nigeria, 2000 – 2008. The general objective of the study was to examine the activities of Niger Delta development Commission on socio-economic development of Rivers State. Specifically, the study was aimed at finding out whether Niger Delta Development Commission has the capacity to achieve socio-economic development of Rivers State; examine the steps and strategies Niger Delta Development Commission has so far taken to achieve socio-economic development of Rivers State; examine the effect of Niger Delta Development Commission programmes and projects on poverty alleviation, rural development and economic empowerment of Rivers State; ascertain the rate of Niger Delta Development Commission performance on socio-economic development of Rivers State; and ascertain the relationship between Niger Delta Development Commission funding and performance on socio-economic development of Rivers State. From the above objectives, four hypotheses were stated in null form, and tested as well. Primary data were collected for the study using questionnaire and interview methods, while the secondary data were collected from the published journals, books, NDDC publications, government gazette, magazine /newspaper, and website to test the hypotheses. The data were presented and analyzed using population t – test, Pearson products moment Correlation, and percentage frequency statistical tools. The four hypotheses were invalidated, which proves that the steps and strategies so far adopted by NDDC to achieve socio-economic development in Rivers State are good; that NDDC programmes and projects have significant impact on the socio-economic development of Rivers State; there is a significance relationship between the Niger Delta Development Commission performance and socio economic development of Rivers State: and there is a significant relationship between NDDC funding and performance on socio-economic development of Rivers State. Other findings include the identification of factors militating against the performance of NDDC on socio economic development of Rivers State. The study further proved that although the NDDC programmes and projects are good, but are inadequate to achieve the needed socio-economic development of Rivers State. On that note, the study proffered some recommendations on modalities the NDDC should adopt to achieve the desired socio-economic development of Rivers State
