enhance employment creation and growth in the communities. Theoretical instructional activities have been completed. The trainees are currently undergoing field work / practical activities. Environment Environmental protection and control is very central to the mandate of the Commission as per the NDDC Act of 2000. Some activities that took place within this sector during the period under review included: a. Environmental Impact Assessment of Projects i. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) were carried out on major projects prior to their execution in accordance with the relevant environmental laws and policies of the Federal Government. During the period under review, the Consultants on the EIA of various projects submitted their Reconnaissance Visit and Dry Season Reports on nine (9) Infrastructure Projects that the Commission is working on in various states of the Niger Delta. The Infrastructure Projects are in the areas of roads/bridges; canalization/reclamation; and electricity/power. The Wet Season Report would be submitted after the rainy season by the 3rd Quarter, while the Final Reports would be submitted to the Federal Ministry of Environment in November 2016. b. Health Safety & Environment/Environmental Monitoring of Projects (HSE/EMP) i. During the 1st Quarter of 2016, HSE/EMP whose principal function is to implement a method of systematically identifying, assessing and controlling hazards that may arise from project execution, submitted reports on ten (10) infrastructure projects in the areas of roads/bridges (1) and reclamation/canalization (9). iii. Challenges: a. Administration The following Administration challenges were identified: i. Weak internal processes, procedures and control mechanism. ii. Poor-adherence to policies, procedures and processes. iii. A disconnect between the State offices and the Head Office in terms of projects/programmes delivery, information flow, and incomplete implementation of the decentralization exercise. iv. Weak organizational culture and low employee discipline, leading to lack of commitment and dedication to duty amongst staff. v. Poor internal and external corporate image. b. Project/Programme Administration i. Poor project initiation practices ii. Non-compliance with the procurement procedures, resulting in the incidence high failure rate of NDDC projects and programmes iii. Poor Quality assurance processes and technology iv. Inadequate internal control mechanism leading to unethical practices and compromises v. Delay in payment for certified works done, leading to rapid deterioration of uncompleted works 115