Dr. George D.A. Kelly FNIQS, is the Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA). He has a wealth of experience and expertise in infrastructure development and public administration and his journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a deep commitment to serving his country. He was appointed as the Executive Secretary of BCDA on the 15th of March, 2024 and is a Nigerian of Kalabari extraction.
He is a distinguished world class chartered Quantity Surveyor and Cost Engineer, highly experienced in Project Management, Cost Planning, Project Risk Management, Civil Engineering, Value Engineering and Cost Engineering. After his primary and Secondary education in Benue State and Rivers State respectively, George-Kelly proceeded to the Rivers State University of Science & Technology (now Rivers State University), where he obtained a Bachelor of Technology Degree in Quantity Surveying and Post Graduate Diploma in Civil Engineering. He furthered his studies in the Enugu State University of Technology where he acquired a Masters of Science Degree in Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering and also emerged as the best graduating student in the department of Quantity Surveying/Cost Engineering. He has a PhD in Construction Management from the Nnamdi Azikiwe University.
Dr. George D.A. Kelly has also continued to excel professionally. He received an award as the Best Overall Performing Candidate in the Federation in the Nigeria Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS) Test of Professional Competence examination and Professional Competence Interview in 2006. He was also presented the prestigious CAP Plc Best Quantity Surveyor Awards – 2006/2007. He is a corporate member of several professional bodies including the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors where he is presently a Fellow of the Institute, Quantity Surveyors Registration Board of Nigeria, Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineers Int’l, USA, Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN), etc. He is the national patron of Women Association of Quantity Surveyors of Nigeria (WAQSN).
As a Principal Manager (Infrastructure) in NDDC, he initiated, planned and managed over 500 Civil Engineering and Building Projects. He received an award of meritorious service from the NDDC upon his exit. Also, he was a principal consultant to three construction consultancy firms in Nigeria and has consulted for several construction companies as well.
He was appointed the Special Adviser to the Governor of Rivers State on Special Projects, a position he held between 2017 and 2022. In June 2022, he was again called to service and appointed into the Rivers State Executive Council as the Hon. Commissioner for Works and served in that capacity till his current position as the Executive Secretary of Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).
He socializes with like minds, believes in developing people and loves the art of politics, wit and strategy. This interest started when he was National President of National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) in his university days.
Born 23rd of December, Dr. Kelly enjoys dancing and he is often described as a friendly and relaxed character – always willing to help the needy. He is happily married to his wife and blessed with three children – a girl and a set of twin boys. He likes table tennis, a sport he still enjoys actively to this day and is a fan of Manchester United Football Club.