Legal experts and stakeholders have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embrace technological innovation in its service delivery system, highlighting the crucial role of digital transformation in achieving the commission’s developmental goals for the oil-rich region.
The call for technological advancement came during the 2024 retreat of the NDDC’s Directorate of Legal Services held in Lagos on Friday, where industry experts emphasized the transformative potential of technology in enhancing the commission’s operational efficiency and service delivery.
Malachy Ugwummadu, Principal Attorney of Malachy Ugwummadu’s Chamber, delivered a compelling keynote address stressing the urgent need for the commission to adopt cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art infrastructure. He emphasized that remaining analog in an increasingly digital world could severely hamper the commission’s ability to engage effectively with oil companies and other stakeholders in the region.
“The technological evolution we’re witnessing today is particularly crucial for organizations working with oil companies and their operations,” Ugwummadu stated. “To maintain relevance and effectiveness, the NDDC must equip itself with proper technological resources to engage meaningfully with these stakeholders.”
The retreat, themed “Promoting Legal Service Efficiency and Excellence in the Public Sector,” served as a platform for legal professionals to discuss innovative approaches to public sector service delivery. Stephen Ighomuaye, Director of the Directorate of Legal Services at NDDC, emphasized the critical role of the legal directorate in the commission’s operations and its commitment to maintaining high standards of excellence.
Ighomuaye articulated the directorate’s dedication to continuous improvement, stating, “Our role remains pivotal and centrally important in the operations of the NDDC. We must continuously strive for excellence, embracing personal development and teamwork while making significant progress. The commission and the region deserve nothing less from us.”
A particularly compelling presentation came from Adebomi Adekeye of Jackson Etti & Edu, who shared striking statistics about the impact of technology on legal services. According to her research, approximately 22 percent of lawyer tasks can be automated, enabling legal professionals to concentrate on more strategic activities. She also revealed that AI tools demonstrate superior accuracy rates of up to 95 percent compared to human accuracy rates of 85 percent, while automation of routine tasks can lead to substantial operational cost reductions of up to 30 percent.
Adekeye warned that failure to adopt modern technology could result in significant inefficiencies, delayed project execution, and erosion of stakeholder trust. She emphasized that embracing technology would position the NDDC as a progressive organization capable of addressing contemporary challenges with greater agility and effectiveness.
Technology serves as a catalyst for transformation in the Niger Delta’s pursuit of sustainable development,” Adekeye explained. By incorporating technology into their core operations, legal officers can enhance compliance, maintain high governance standards, and drive meaningful socio-economic outcomes across the region.
The NDDC, established in 2000 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration, has been mandated to promote sustainable development in the Niger Delta region. This push for technological advancement aligns with the commission’s original mandate and represents a significant step toward modernizing its operations to better serve the region’s development needs.
The retreat’s focus on technological innovation reflects a broader recognition of the need for public sector organizations to adapt to the digital age. As the NDDC continues its mission to develop the Niger Delta region, the integration of technology in its legal services and overall operations could mark a turning point in its ability to deliver on its mandate more effectively and efficiently.
This emphasis on technological advancement comes at a crucial time when the commission is actively involved in various development projects across the region, including agricultural initiatives and infrastructure development, highlighting the potential for technology to enhance project implementation and monitoring across all sectors of its operations.
