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Tag: NDDC

  • JUST IN: Tompolo issues 7-day ultimatum to FG to inaugurate NDDC board

    JUST IN: Tompolo issues 7-day ultimatum to FG to inaugurate NDDC board

    Former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND), Chief Government Ekpemupolo has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the federal government to constitute a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo in a statement on Sunday, described the appointment of a sole administrator to run the activities of the NDDC as unlawful and unacceptable to the people of the region.

    READ FULL STATEMENT BELOW…

    PRESIDENT MUHAMMADU BUHARI AND SENATOR GODSWILL AKPABIO SHOULD AS A MATTER OF URGENCY CONSTITUTE THE SUBSTANTIVE BOARD OF THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION (NDDC)

    I have watched and observed with keen interest, the circumstances surrounding the constitution of the NDDC board for some time now. I would have continued to keep watching and observing, but for love of the region and the country.

    The continuous running of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) by a sole administrator at the instance of the minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Akpabio, is undemocratic and anti-development, hence unacceptable to the people of the region. The people of the region are averse to a one man show in a commission that is supposed to attend to the developmental needs of nine states, namely, Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers. It will likely set the region on fire, sooner than later.

    The act establishing the commission provided among other things that it will be administered by a board comprising of a Chairman, Managing Director, Executive Directors and Commissioners who will be drawn from the nine states that made up the region. However, this provision has been blatantly undermined by Senator Godswill Akpabio and his co-travellers in the Presidency. There is no provision for either interim management committee or sole administration in the act that establishes the NDDC. Common sense will tell you that the so called forensic audit that has been used by Senator Akpabio to strangle the commission could be best conducted with a substantive board that brings all representatives from the nine states and other parts of the country. As one from the region, Senator Akpabios initial mission to audit past activities of the commission was seen as welcome development, but later the people realised that it was a personal mission to feather the next of his 2023 political ambition. Clearly, the present state of the commission is abnormal and could throw the relatively peaceful region in the country into chaos and acrimony.

    Undermining the very clear provisions in the establishing act under the guise of an endless forensic audit is evil, and should be condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. It is in itself an act of corruption as the people of the region have lost so much resources in the process of the so called forensic audit. No one can tell the amount of money that has been spent by Senator Akpabio in pursuing this divisive agenda. It is obvious that there will be another forensic audit to investigate the activities of Senator Akpabio by the time he let grip off the commission. This is disheartening and worrisome.

    Senator Akpabio has refused to pay contractors even after evaluation of work done. He has selectively paid his cronies and those in the list of political patronage. It is an open secret that some contractors have been made to part with up to between 30% and 50% of the contract sum. I ask, where is the equity and probity of this sole administration?

    There is no way things will continue in this manner. I am surprised at the recent silence of highly placed persons from the region on this matter. Perhaps, Senator Akpabio is not alone on this NDDC abduction. This must be a product of high wired conspiracy among persons from the Presidency, National Assembly and Security Agencies to perpetually silence all well-meaning Nigerians in this strange deal. Senator Akpabio should know that it is time to end this barbaric act as it will be concertedly resisted in the days ahead.

    Senator Akpabios temporal reprieve from the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) protest is a childs play compare to what is to come in a few days. He is about to be awakened to the rage of the Niger Delta region.

    It is against this background that I wish to call on Mr President, members of the National Assembly and Security Agencies to work towards the constitution of the substantive board of the NDDC within a few days to avert a total breakdown of law and order that will equally affect crude oil exploration and exploitation activities in the region. I hereby proclaim a seven days ultimatum starting the date of this publication to inaugurate the substantive board of the commission.

    Signed:

    High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)

    The Ibe-Ebidouwei of Ijaw Nation

  • NDDC audit: FG donates 33 vehicles to forensic auditors

    NDDC audit: FG donates 33 vehicles to forensic auditors

    The Federal Government said that it had donated 33 utility vehicles to the security committee working with the forensic auditors currently appraising projects executed by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, delivered the vehicles to the auditors in Port Harcourt, according to a statement by NDDC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Dr Ibitoye Abosede, on Friday.

    Akpabio, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Babayo Ardo, said that the vehicles would aid the committee in the physical verification phase of the exercise.

    “The over 33 utility vehicles are meant to assist the security personnel working with the 16 field auditors charged with identifying and verifying the projects implemented by the NDDC across the Niger Delta region.

    “We thank President Muhammadu Buhari for approving the forensic audit to be carried out to look at all NDDC’s projects.

    “Our initial proposal to President Buhari was to hire vehicles for the forensic exercise but rather he approved the procurement of new vehicles to be deployed for the exercise,’’ he said.

    The minister expressed optimism that the forensic audit would guide further interventionist actions in the region.

    He said that the ministry was committed to ensuring rapid development of the Niger Delta region by repositioning the NDDC to effectively deliver its mandate to the people.

    “So, we shall leave no stone unturned to see that all obstacles were cleared to enable the NDDC work effectively and efficiently,” the statement quoted Akpabio as saying.

  • I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    I stand with the governors of the South South, not Akpabio, on NDDC – Edwin Clark

    Elder statesman and prominent South South leader, Chief Edwin Clark has clarified that he does not support the strong grip of Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minster of Niger Delta Affaris on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The outspoken former federal minister said rather, he stands with the governors of the South South states.

    Clark made the clarification in a statement he personally signed and released on Tuesday night.

    Read full statement below:

    “My attention has been drawn to a publication/communique that is
    trending on-line, allegedly stating that I am in support of the stronghold the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, has on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and its finances, by a group that calls itself South-South Front (SSF) after a so called meeting where they said of me “The leaders were keen to applaud attitude the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Clark, has shown thus for as well as his support for the NDDC management.”

    “I wish to disassociate myself from this group which I do not even know.
    My position on the activities of Minister Akpabio, has been consistent,
    and is in the public domain.

    I am in support of a forensic audit to unravel the stinking corruption
    in the Commission, but not the activities of Akpabio.

    I recall that I made this known when the Sole Administrator, Effiong Okon Akwa, came to pay courtesy call on me soon after his appointment. I advised him to insulate himself from the Honourable
    Minister and face the work he had been appointed to do. Also, just a few days ago, during the commissioning of a road project in my Community Kiagbodo, by the NDDC, in my address which was read by my son, Chief Ebikeme Clark, former Chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, and presently Special Adviser to the Governor of Delta State, I asked that the Honourable Minister should leave the
    Commission to do its job.

    I condemned his decision to use the funds of the Commission on the East-West Road. The funds of the Commission are meant to develop the Niger Delta region, which is seriously underdeveloped.

    The Federal Government is allocating huge sums of money to work roads such as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, which they call legacy projects, leaving out the East-West Road, which as a matter of fact ought to be the first legacy project of the country, as it is, today, the major haul through which the product sustaining the economy of the Country is transported to various parts of the country.

    For the avoidance of doubt, I reproduce my address delivered at the
    Road Commissioning at my hometown Kiagbodo:
    “SPEECH BY CHIEF (DR.) EDWIN KIAGBODO CLARK, OFR, CON, AT THE
    COMISSIONING OF THE CHIEF AMBAKEDEREMO ROAD, KIAGBODO TOWN, DELTA STATE, CONSTRUCTED BY THE NIGER DELTA DEVELOPMENT
    COMMISSION (NDDC).

    DATE: THURSDAY, 6TH MAY 2021.

    PROTOCOL

    Let me begin by welcoming you all, especially, the Acting Managing Director,
    Effiong Okon Akwa, and the leadership of the NDDC, to my hometown, Kiagbodo,
    which has many unique features. We have the spectacular records of being one
    of the main towns in the whole of Nigeria, where two major ethnic groups, Ijaw
    and Urhobo, exist together, and in all our dear community is sufficiently
    bilingual. Beyond that, we all have either maternal or paternal links with both
    groups. This is why here in Kiagbodo, we live in the best fraternity and do all
    things in common. It is our prayer that one day, all of Nigeria will be like our
    town, living in a united country where the citizens live together, where everyone
    is equal, and can aspire to any position.
    Your visit here today, which is preceded by the Flag-off of donation of Education/
    Essential Science Equipment in Warri, is part of the very remarkable
    achievement, which you have recorded on your short period as Acting Managing
    Director of the Commission. This is very much appreciated. You are a shining light
    here in the Niger Delta and continue to contribute tremendously to the political
    and social evolution of our people and the existing peace in the area.

    Let me also welcome other dignitaries here present, some of whom are illustrious
    sons and daughters of this community, Kiagbodo, especially, Prof. Victor
    Peretomode, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Delta State University,
    Abraka, Delta State, and who was a onetime Commissioner at the NDDC.
    Today again, affords me the opportunity to say a few general things on the state
    of affairs in the NDDC.

    During your visit to me at my residence in Abuja, on your assumption of office, I
    strongly advised that the construction of the East-West Road is a Federal
    Government project, like every other Federal road projects such as the AbujaKaduna-Kano Road, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, etc, but which the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, is funding
    directly from accruals mostly gotten from oil (derived in the Niger Delta) revenue,, running into billions of naira, and which the Federal Government calls Legacy Projects. Is the Niger Delta region not qualified to have a Legacy Project?

    A situation where the Federal Government spends so much on such roads, while
    the East-West Road, running from Edo-Delta-Bayelsa-Rivers-Akwa Ibom and
    Cross River States, is not funded by the Federal Government, and thus remains
    deplorable, and has become death traps to users, and a waste of time and resources, as commuters go through the horrendous experience of travelling on
    the road is quite unacceptable. For instance, the portion between Warri and
    Benin, which ordinarily takes about 45 minutes to travel, now lasts for about 5
    hours. I once again use this medium to call on the attention of the Federal Government to kindly look into the state of the East-West Road.

    The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has been going round other parts of the country, to either commission the commencement of road projects, or inspect the conditions of roads. He is yet to be seen in the Niger Delta.

    I challenge the Honourable Minister to mention the roads the Federal Government has constructed in the Niger Delta, particularly in Delta State.

    I also wish to use this medium to once again, call on the Honourable Minister of
    Niger Delta Affairs, Chief Godswill Akpabio, not to use the meagre resources of the Ministry meant to develop the Niger Delta region, to work the East-West
    Road, which is obviously a Federal Government project. There are several areas in the region, which needs to be developed with the resources of the Ministry.

    In addition, Acting Managing Director, recall that when you came to visit me, I
    also advised you to detach yourself from the raging politics and as a professional,
    focus on the job ahead of you. By that I mean, for you to stay away from the
    continued feud between the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Governors of
    the nine Niger Delta States over the control of the Commission’s day to day
    administration.

    Furthermore, is the state of malfeasance and crass corruption for which the NDDC has become known. I was not, therefore, surprised when some of the elements within your system recently came up with a 15-page advertisement and contracts, which I will advise that you do not allow yourself to be lured by some officials of the Commission, to embark upon. I hear that you rejected them and has almost brought these practices to a stop. I am mentioning this because I know that the people behind these activities are entrenched in the system and will definitely try to undermine your efforts.

    We will keep watching out for those who are bent on truncating and sabotaging
    the efforts we have made in the past to set up machineries for the development
    of our Niger Delta region. I recall how the eminent late HRH Pere (Dr.) Harold Dappa-Biriye as the leader of the region, and I as the Deputy, worked towards
    the establishment of the Commission. The number of times we met with the then
    President of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and the number of times we
    had to go and lobby with our Northern friends, before the Commission was
    established. We had hoped that the Commission will be the guiding light for the social and economic development of the region. Today a few individuals, some
    of them, pitiably and unfortunately, sons of the region, are doing everything to
    derail the Commission.
    As you commission this Bekederemo Road, Kiagbodo, today, I want to assure you that we the communities of Kiagbodo, and our neighbours, will ensure that we
    play our part , that the road will be well protected for the good of the people.

    This is what I hope many of the communities in the Niger Delta will learn to do whenever Government projects are sited around them.

    As I conclude, I will like to emphasise that no payments should be made to the so
    called Emergency Contracts, a scheme which has already gulped billions of naira.
    I do hope that these fraudulent ‘Emergency Contracts’ are brought before the on-going Forensic Audit.

    I will also like to call on the Federal Government to ensure the sustainable
    funding of the NDDC. It is of great concern that the Commission is still being
    owed a lot of money. This is unlike similar bodies such as the recently set up
    North East Development Commission which the Federal Government has
    ensured full funding as and when due. A country where different standards exist
    for similar organisations is not in our collective interest. This is more so when the NDDC is the body responsible for the development of where the wealth of the
    country comes from.

    On your part, I want to repeat the advice, which I gave to you when you came to
    see me on your assumption of office and that is for you to remember that you will one day leave this office, and will be required to give account of your stewardship. You must, therefore, finish, strong and clean.

    Let me once more thank you all and wish you the best.”

    “I align myself with the call by the South-South Governors for Minister
    Akpabio to stop his interference at the Commission. I wish to also state
    that the forensic audit should be completed as soon as possible to
    enable a substantive Board to be put in place, in line with the Act
    setting up the Commission.”

  • Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    Ijaw youths issue Buhari one month deadline to constitute NDDC Board or…

    The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) has given President Muhammadu Buhari one month to constitute and inaugurate a substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    President of the group, Peter Igbifa, said the group may be forced to disrupt socio-economic activities in the region if the President fails to meet the deadline.

    He said the disruption of activities may include interfering with the exploration of oil and gas and shutting down of movement on both land and waterways after the expiration of the ultimatum which began on Sunday, April 25.

    The Ijaw Youth Council said the use of interim administrators to run the affairs of the NDDC is depriving the region of equal representation which undermines even development.

    “We consider the NDDC a very critical commission for us in this region. And for this cause, we want to make it clear that between and the deadline if the board is not brought it, we may not be able to guarantee the safety of oil operations in the region.

    “Council will definitely shut down the entire region if Mr President fails to deliver on or before one month from today,” Igbifa said.

    The IYC President disclosed this after their stakeholders’ and national expanded executive council meeting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Sunday.

    He also urged the Federal Government to adequately monitor the progress of work on the East-West road, saying by their observation, the standard of work by the contractor is not satisfactory.

    He added that the completion of the rehabilitation of the East-West road should not exceed three months.

  • Allow NDDC to operate – Uzodimma urges stakeholders

    Allow NDDC to operate – Uzodimma urges stakeholders

    Gov Hope Uzodinma of Imo has appealed to stakeholders to give room for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to work for the development of Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

    The governor made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr. Effiong Akwa, and his team of Directors at the Imo State Government House, Owerri on Tuesday.

    This was contained in a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Oguwike Nwachukwu.

    Uzodimma lamented that in the years past, politics had hampered the progress of work by the NDDC, and urged Niger Deltans to de-emphasise politics and sentiments.

    According to him, the NDDC is an interventionist agency established to fast-track development of the oil-producing region of the country and not an ethnic or tribal organization.

    He warned those trying to portray it in that light to stop while regretting that some young people from the region were being sponsored to protest the activities of the NDDC

    He appealed to them to allow peace to reign noting that development can only take place in a peaceful atmosphere.

    Uzodimma also noted that Imo was in dire need of NDDC intervention in the education and health sectors, quality roads infrastructure and provision of sufficient palliatives.

    He specifically implored the NDDC to furnish the hostel it built for the state university so that students could use the facility in comfort and safety.

    The governor also lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio on the choice of Akwa as the NDDC Interim Administrator pending the composition of a new board for the Commission.

    “Since it is the wisdom of Mr President to put in place an Interim Administration, we are bound to respect his position and support the Interim Administrator.”

    Earlier, the NDDC Interim Administrator, Mr Akwa said the visit was both to acknowledge the governor’s strategic importance to Niger Delta development and to seek ways of forging a stronger alliance with the government and people of Imo.

    Akwa said the Interim Management was meeting with important stakeholders of the Niger Delta region as directed by President Buhari.

    The administrator said this was important because partnership was a key aspect in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);

    “It advocates for a shared vision, shared responsibility, shared commitment, as well as shared budgeting process and implementation of development initiatives.

    “After so many years of neglect, it is important that, together, we do far more for our people and a region which has provided the bulk of Nigeria’s wealth, and accounted for our rise in the comity of nations,” Akwa said.

    He also commended the governor for embarking on many projects which were helping to open up areas with rich agricultural potential.

    “You are helping to boost the economy of these areas and helping to improve the living conditions of the people. We are here to learn from you,” he said.

    The NDDC boss stressed the importance of energising the commission’s Presidential Advisory Council, comprising the state governors in the nine Niger Delta states.

    “The past practice where the commission undertook projects and programmes in the states, without first building a working coalition with the state governments, to integrate our plans, policies, projects and programmes into the state government’s overall master plan, will no longer hold.

    “We are determined to continue to make a difference in the Niger Delta region in general, and in Imo State, in particular.

    “We remain committed to providing projects and programmes of enduring quality because to build the Niger Delta is to build ourselves,” he said.

    The Interim Management team handed over four waste disposal trucks to the Imo State Government to assist the efforts towards improving the sanitary conditions of the cities in the state.

  • How NDDC wasted N10bn to remove me as Rivers Governor – Wike

    How NDDC wasted N10bn to remove me as Rivers Governor – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has accused the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) of plotting to oust him from his position as governor.

    While addressing the Senate Committee on Niger Delta when they visited him in Port Harcourt, Wike said it is sad that the NDDC has been hijacked by political actors using the commission for their selfish interest.

    He said the Commission is failing to perform because they have placed politics above the interest of the people.

    “What NDDC does through the supervision of their party is to make sure they vote out some money to ensure certain governors do not return.

    “You can imagine NDDC wasting ten billion to remove me here, is the money not wasted now?….. NDDC wasted ten billion naira to remove just one governor,” Wike stated.

    The governor further alleged that the NDDC is poorly performing because the presidency and the National Assembly will not allow the commission to carry out its duties judiciously.

    He also noted that people from the Southsouth have not helped in making the NDDC do the work for which it was created, in that the Niger Delta people have become enemies to themselves.

    Meanwhile the NDDC is yet to respond to Wike’s accusation.

  • JUST IN: Another storm set to hit NDDC

    JUST IN: Another storm set to hit NDDC

    The least is yet to be heard of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as another storm is set to hit the interventionist agency.

    The Senate Committee on Public petition, Ethics and Privileges has issued a warrant of arrest on the management of the NDDC.

    Chairman of the Committee, Senator Ayo Akinyelure issued the order following the management’s failure to honour the invitation of the Senate panel to account for how the sum of N2.6 billion palliative fund which was released by the Federal Government was spent.

    The Senate panel which began the investigation of the alleged misappropriation of N2.6 billion palliative fund has been finding it difficult to have the NDDC management interrogated.

    The petition was at the instance of the NDDC palliative Chairman, Mr Jackrich Sobomabo who insisted that the fund which was supposed to be disbursed under his supervision was diverted by the NDDC management.

    Speaking after the warrant of arrest, Mr. Jackrich Sobomabo lamented how he put his effort and resources in the management of the palliative before the NDDC management allegedly misappropriated the funds.

    “I was appointed the palliative Chairman, but when the sum of N2.6 billion was released by the Federal Government, the NDDC management spent the fund without my knowledge.

    “It’s unfortunate that they have been evasive when the Senate Committee wanted them to come and explain how the fund was spent.

    “If they eventually come around and explain satisfactorily, I will be alright, but they must appear to explain how the fund was disbursed.

    He expressed optimism that the Nigerian Senate would bring the perpetrators to book.

    Recall the NDDC has come under the radar of investigations more recently. In one of the probes, Daniel Pondei collapsed under weight of corruption while being grilled by the House of Representatives.

     

  • Okowa blasts NDDC over ’emergency projects’

    Okowa blasts NDDC over ’emergency projects’

    Delta Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, has deplored what he described as “emergency projects’’ undertaken by Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), in recent times, saying they constituted embarrassment and disservice to the region.

    According to Okowa, who spoke while receiving the Interim Administrator of NDDC, Mr Effiong Akwa, at the Government House, Asaba, on Thursday, the projects were not properly executed.

    He urged the management of the commission to focus on the development of Niger Delta with people-oriented vision, adding that such development must truly impact positively on the region and its people.

    “For the sake of sustainability, everything we do must be sustainable because I have seen roads done under emergency projects that failed under three months.

    “The NDDC should spend more money on bigger projects that connect communities and with capacity to impact on the people.

    “It is our hope that as leaders of the Niger Delta that the NDDC truly live up to its expectations, and for that to happen, there must be a partnership and a collaborative effort in the best interest of the region.

    “The NDDC is supposed to be an interventionist agency but because of politics, we have continued to allow ourselves to be caught in the web of competition which ought not to be,’’ he said.

    The governor recalled that there was a master plan developed by the commission in collaboration with the states in the region some years ago, which ought to have been used to properly develop the zone.

    He advised the interim administrator to do something while in office that he would be remembered for by the people of the region, saying, “I don’t know how long you will be there, but try to make a mark for yourself while your stay lasts.

    “When you satisfy yourself that you have done well according to your conscience, then you can leave the office a happy man.

    “I am glad that you have met my brother governors. I am also of the opinion that the Presidential Advisory Committee on NDDC should meet with the management of the commission to look at further ways we can collaborate to develop the region.

    “The more we are able to relate with ourselves, the more we are able to achieve as a people.”

    Okowa added that the more the youths of the Niger Delta were engaged, the better for the nation, and disclosed that his administration had continued to provide skills acquisition and empowerment for youths in the state to enable them be job creators instead of job seekers.

    “The more we give them skills that will enable them to stand on their own and also link them with finance houses or direct empowerment from government, the better for us as a people.

    “That is a programme we are pursuing as a state and we do need collaborations in this regard, and I hope we can partner in this stead,” he said.

    Earlier, Akwa had told the governor that he was in Asaba as part of his engagements with key stakeholders in the region and to share with him his plans for the region.

    He lauded Okowa for his administration’s efforts in empowering the youths of Delta.

    Akwa stated that NDDC was committed to sustainable development of Niger Delta, and assured that the commission would no longer carry out projects at variance with the aspirations of the people.

    He commiserated with the governor over the death of his father, Pa Arthur Okorie Okowa, who was buried on Tuesday.

    He said the late Pa Okowa was a great man of poise and candour, adding that his death was a great loss to his community, Niger Delta and Nigeria.

    High point of the visit was the donation of five waste disposal trucks to Delta Government by the NDDC.

  • How NDDC duped Rivers State of N400m – Wike

    How NDDC duped Rivers State of N400m – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, says despite the inauguration of the advisory council of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), oil-producing state governors are still sidelined in the affairs of the intervention agency.

    The governor noted that because the governing party dictates what happens in the NDDC, the commission now acts as a state on its own and refusing to interface with the Governors of the oil-producing States to strategically develop the Niger Delta region.

    He stated this when members of the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC led by its chairman, Hon (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.

    Governor Wike explained that contrary to the assumption that governors of the Niger Delta are critical stakeholders in the affairs of the NDDC, they are not in the true sense of it.

    According to him, since the inauguration of the NDDC advisory council last year, the present federal government has ensured that the governors are sidelined in the affairs of the commission.

    “Even when we are inaugurated, we were not involved in anything that happens in NDDC. Which is most unfortunate.”

    He further continued: “NDDC is like a state on its own without working with the State government and why is it so. It is so because the states of NDDC are controlled by the opposition party therefore there is no need to consult with them.”

    The governor explained that in a bid to ensure NDDC does not embark on indiscriminate execution of projects that often distort the state developmental agenda, the Rivers State government recently obtained a court order that prohibits the commission from carrying out projects without the consent of the state government.

    Governor Wike urged the National Assembly to be resolute in its oversight function by ensuring that the NDDC stops frittering the resources meant for the development of the Niger Delta region on building roads in Army barracks, police stations, and spending Billions of Naira to ensure he did not win the election.

    The governor stated that NDDC and the Rivers State had once agreed to collaborate on a legacy project, but the commission ended up defrauding the State government.

    “NDDC fraudulently duped us over the Mother and Child hospital. They duped us. They had an agreement with the State government to build a regional hospital called Mother and Child hospital. They agreed that it will be N1.7 Billion Naira.

    State government to bring N800million, they will bring N900 million.

    The state government at that time paid their N800million. NDDC mobilised the contractor with N400 million of the N800 million we brought and then abandoned the contractor and the contractor left the site. And when we came on board, we said okay, we don’t want to partner with you again, give us back our N400 million, it became a problem. Politics came in. ”

    The governor said he will continually speak out for the interest of the people of Rivers state. According to him, within one year, he has awarded contracts for the construction of eight flyovers and on Wednesday approved over N16 billion for the development of critical infrastructure in the Rivers State University.

    “I want the best for my people. They have given me everything in life, so I owe them. It is not what I will make, they have already made me. So what do I offer back.”

    He urged the National Assembly to ensure that the planned amendment of the Electoral Act will usher in a new era of free and fair elections.

    He insisted that “there cannot be development without good governance. There cannot be good governance without the rule of law. Good governance without the rule of cannot work.”

    Leaders of the delegation and chairman of the committee, Dr. Tunji- Ojo explained that the purpose of the visit is predicated on the fact that Governor Wike is a principal stakeholder in the affairs of NDDC.

  • Why NDDC wasted trillions of naira with no results – Wike

    Why NDDC wasted trillions of naira with no results – Wike

    Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has given reasons why the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) wasted trillions of dollars without achieving its mandates in the region.

    He said the management of the commission was fond of bowing to external influences instead of focusing on its functions of lifting the region from poverty.

    Wike said people were abusing the entire region because the commission wasted trillions of Dollars without lifting the masses of the region out of poverty or commensurate developmental projects on ground to show for the funds received.

    He said: “The problem with us is that you allow people outside to control you. You want to have godfathers from East, West and North. NDDC is created for Niger Delta. Use the money for the people and region.

    “They are abusing us that Niger Delta is a curse. Trillions of dollars have been spent, and we cannot say this is what we have spent the money on.

    “Those Abuja portfolio contractors are part of the people controlling you. They tell you what to do and you do it for fear that they will remove you. But eventually, you will be removed. So, why not work for the people. When you’re removed, you’ll know you did your best for the region.”

    The governor spoke when he played host to the Interim Management Committee of NDDC on courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt on Tuesday.

    A statement signed by the governor’s Special Adviser, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said Wike also condemned the posture of some ethnic groups in the Niger Delta region that behaved as if they owned the commission.

    Wike said the commission belonged to all states in the region and no one particular ethnic group could assert itself as the dominant owner of the NDDC.

    Wike said members of those groups always kicked against the appointment of people to head the commission because they felt such persons were not from core Niger Delta States saying such attitude must stop.

    He said: “Anybody can be appointed in Niger Delta. There are people who believe that if they appoint somebody from Edo or Cross River States for example, they say no. That those people are not the core Niger Delta states. We must have to stop that.”

    The governor also said such people also left their states and came to Rivers to block the gates of the commission, cause crisis and frustrate economic activities.

    “NDDC does not belong to any ethnic group in the Niger Delta region. It does not belong to anybody. There are people who have seen themselves that they are the owners of NDDC. They leave their state and come to NDDC to block NDDC gate .We are peaceful people, but nobody should push us to the point where we can tell you enough is enough.

    “The next time they try it again to cause crisis in our state, I’ll mobilise our people against them. I am not saying if you have grievance with NDDC you shouldn’t seek how to settle it. But don’t use it to cause problem for us, to begin to make economic activities not to move on,” he said.

    The governor challenged the new interim leadership to make a difference, change the current narrative of the commission serving outsiders interest and abandoning its core mandate of developing the region.

    Wike also charged the interim management to always work with all the state governors in the region on equal footing, and without politics so that together, they could achieve desired development.

    He said “Go and visit every governor because they are members of the governing council of NDDC and they are the leaders of the states. You don’t need to entangle yourself with unnecessary bickering, politicking. Show a difference.”

    The governor asked the NDDC management to obey subsisting court order that made it mandatory for the commission to seek the consent of the state government before embarking on any project, particularly in Rivers State.

    He warned that if the commission defied the state government the commission would be dragged to court for contempt.

    He said: “I will not hesitate to tell the Attorney General to file contempt against officials of NDDC and NDDC itself. We will not hesitate. Because we have come to the time that Nigerians must understand we must follow rules.

    “The only way you can talk about good governance is when you obey the rule of law. There cannot be good governance when there is nothing to show you obey the law. Good governance is predicated on the rule of law.

    “I’ve always said to people, when you have the opportunity to make contribution to the development of your fathers land, you must see it as blessing God has given you. You must not see it as a way to set back your region.”

    Wike also urged NDDC to send their partnership support towards the reconstruction of the ongoing dualisation of Eastern By-Pass Road where the NDDC permanent headquarters was located.

    He told them to put their temporary office along Aba Road in good condition before moving out to their permanent headquarters.

    Earlier, the Interim Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa said the visit was the first to be undertaken by his team to any governor in the region.

    Akwa informed the governor that with the newly built permanent NDDC head office now completed, they were ready to commission it on 25th February, 2021.

    The Interim Administrator on behalf of the commission later presented six waste disposal trucks to the Rivers State Government to improve the sanitary conditions in the state.

    But Wike noted that this is the first time in his administration that the commission was offering support to the Rivers State Government.

    He commended them for demonstrating good corporate social responsibility in encouraging the state government in its drive to restore Port Harcourt to its Garden City status.