State Capture and Corruption in Government Agencies in Nigeria: A Study of Niger Delta Development Commission in Bayelsa State.

Abstract

The study examined the effectiveness or otherwise of government agencies in Nigeria with specific reference to the activities of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Bayelsa State. Methodologically, the study employed a qualitative approach with semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and documentary sources as instruments of data collection. The data were analyzed qualitatively. It adopted principal-client agent and state capture as the anchor theories for the analysis. The study found that corruption affects anti- corruption institutions in the region, thus, rendering them ineffective in preventing wastages in NDDC and this has implications on the governance, security and development of Bayelsa state. It found that developmental crises and other types of conflicts are mostly the result of resource-related issues, such as local autonomy over a share of the income from oil and gas, corruption, and institutionalized prejudice that have hampered development achievements in the state. The study recommended reviewing of the conditions that influence corruption in the state and strengthening of the mechanisms that could help in the management of all forms of conflicts in the state which is the driver of corruption.