The Niger Delta Development Commission said it has commenced a Performance Management System Training to strengthen the capacity of its key personnel, equip them with essential skills, and provide a structured roadmap for cascading the Performance Management System in the Commission.
Speaking during a three-day Performance Management System training for Directors and Change Champions in Port Harcourt, the NDDC Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr Patterson Ogon, stated that the training marks the start of a series of sessions aimed at enhancing overall efficiency and accountability in the Commission.
This was co-trained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt by the NDDC Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, on Wednesday.
Ogoni 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 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, ministerial scorecards, and clear performance targets, all designed to drive results with precision and focus.
Earlier, the Director II Admin and Human Resources, James Fole, 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.
Fole 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’, one of the resource persons, Mr Emmanuel Ochoche Peters, said the Performance Management System will enable the Commission to track progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions.
NDDC is a federal government agency created in 2000 by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to drive the development of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta region.
The commission was established to address infrastructural deficits, environmental challenges, and socio-economic development issues affecting communities in the Niger Delta.