Tag: Joy Nunieh

…insist Akpabio can’t investigate himself

…he should step aside for a thorough probe

…2 immediate past MD’s of NDDC should appear before reps panel

…there is need for the commission to return to presidency

By Emman Ovuakporie

Some members of the House of Representatives on Sunday said the allegations raised by the former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr Joy Nunieh should not be swept under the carpet.

TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that apparently peeved by the weighty allegations raised by the immediate past MD of the government agency, some lawmakers feel it’s appropriate to further probe into the matter.

Recall that last Friday, Nunieh spoke to the press and vividly gave account of how the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has been running the commission as a sole administrator, arm twisting directors to do his bidding.

Akpabio in a national television programme also bared his mind advising the former MD to go and seek medical aid as she was not fired because of corruption but insubordination.

Some lawmakers that spoke to TNG under the condition of anonymity were unanimous in their verdict demanding for a further probe of the allegations raised by Nunieh.

One of such lawmakers from the South South geo-political zone simply told TNG that “Akpabio should step aside so that a proper probe can be conducted because he can’t be a Judge in his own matter.

“Akpabio should submit himself for investigation and there is no way we can allow all these allegations raised against him to be swept under the carpet.

Another lawmaker from the South West geo-political zone said ” this matter has gone beyond mere semantics, the Minister can’t wave aside these accusations with a wave of the hand as he can’t audit himself rather he should step aside for an independent probe into the affairs of the commission.

“The issues raised against him by an MD he single handedly appointed can’t be thrown into archival dustbin just like that, no way,” he insisted.

A lawmaker from the North Central geo-political zone of the country in his reaction asked that the last two immediate past MDs of the commission must appear before the House panel alongside directors of the commission.

“What Joi really said should not be swept under the carpet, it calls for concern and should be thoroughly investigated.

“The House committee on NDDC through the motion passed by the House invited the NDDC for an investigative hearing of the activities of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) within one year.

“It is also on a good note that the committee spent 82billion naira in 6months. Durng COVID, more than 40billion got paid out. While we are supporting the forensic to go on, it must not go on a snail speed.

“It must not go on a snail speed and our worry is, can you investigate yourself. Akpabio is the minister regulating NDDC and he is also the chairman of presidential monitoring team, he has also been accused of a lot of things. He also handpicked the audit committee, there is a sharp conflict of interest.

“We are worried wondering why the NDDC will not go back under presidency according to the Act, it shouldn’t be under that ministry. So what we are now is saying that Akpabio should even step down for a thorough investigation and that he should face the House committee for the investigation, they shouldn’t shy away.

“We are also of the opinion that the last two immediate past MDs of NDDC should be involved, should be invited while we take account of Nunieh seriously. If she lied she would be made to suffer for lying. The bottom line is that Akpabio should submit himself for investigation. NDDC books should be made open then the truth will come out.

“It wasn’t even the president that removed Nunieh, it was Abba Kyari and Akpabio that removed her because she refused to play ball, that is the truth.