GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT The study examined the impact of Niger Delta Development Commission on rural community development in Akwa Ibom Sate. Two specific objectives, two research questions and two null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. Survey design was used for the study. The population of the study consisted of adult males and females from the ages of 25 years and above; and are residents of the various rural communities in Akwa Ibom State who are beneficiaries of NDDC programmes, officials of NDDC and opinion leaders in the area. The sample of this study was made up of five hundred (500) respondents randomly selected from ten (10) local government areas mostly benefiting from NDDC activities through cluster sampling technique. The main instrument used for data collection was the questionnaire designed by the researcher with the help of the supervisor. Pearson product moment correlation coefficient analysis (r); and the chi-square (X2) statistical techniques were employed in testing the data. The results revealed that before the coming of the NDDC in Akwa Ibom State, only very little was gained in terms of an enduring African value system in the entire region. But with the inception of NDDC in 2000, empowerment of youths and capacity building opportunities have been provided with about 5,000 students benefiting from the first phase of the NDDC computertraining programme at 62 centres across the region and Akwa Ibom State in particular. Therefore, it was recommended that, since most of the activities of NDDC are perceived to wedge various significant influence on the developmental processes in Akwa Ibom State, advisory committee of the NDDC be made to properly advice the commission (which has already raised the hopes and promoted the confidence of the people that government agencies can be trusted) to complete or continue with the projects it has already initiated. It would be added that this zeal to perform should be emulated by other governmental agencies in the country. Key Words: NDDC, rural community development, health development, economic development, Akwa Ibom State