TheNewsGuru

Tag: NDDC

  • NDDC Probe : Akpabio’s forensic audit is biggest fraud of the decade-Ex-MD alleges

    NDDC Probe : Akpabio’s forensic audit is biggest fraud of the decade-Ex-MD alleges

    By Emma Ovuakporie

    The former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joi Nunieh on Friday alleged that the ongoing forensic audit of the agency is the biggest fraud of the decade.

    The former boss of the commission made the allegation while appearing before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC investigating contract scams in the agency via electronic communication.

    Nunieh also revealed that “the minister, Godswill Akpabio wanted to personally supervise the forensic audit contrary to what the present MD claimed.

    Also in her submission, she alleged that the 9 indigenous firms contracted by the current board are not certified auditors implying that they are a fraud.

    The House of Representatives has summoned Minister of Niger Delta Affairs Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    They are to appear unfailingly before the investigative Committee on Monday to answer questions on allegations against them.

    The House Committee on NDDC issued the summon at the continuation of its investigative hearing into the alleged missing N40 billion from NDDC funds.

    Earth shaking Revelations galore as reps commence probe

    Meanwhile, there were earth-shaking revelations at the on-going House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC probe of alleged contract scams by the government interventionist agency.

    This is coming barely 24hours after President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned Government agencies to respect the National Assembly and proper and well-coordinated probe should be carried out on the commission.

    Kolawole Johnson, a critical stakeholder at the panel revealed that a media consultancy job worth N.7bn was allegedly awarded to an engineering firm.

    He also told the panel that a healthcare contract was awarded to a logistics company worth N35m.

    The panel was also informed that these contracts were awarded on the 22nd of April and Presidential approval was given on the 30th of April.

    Account of Kolawole’s Submission at the panel:

    I know corruption fights back, I know they can bundle me and send me to jail easily but I decided to be the face of this campaign because we have professionals working with us, auditors, accountants they sat with every document before we came out.
    Number three, HR standard they got the contract for emergency consultancy for the procurements for social relief part for distressed and vulnerable people across the nine Niger Delta states.

    The contract was for N1.246348650. The first mobilization was paid on the 22nd of April and they got 186,952,297.5.
    We are not going to question this because we don’t know the part they are going to supply. The only thing we have on this is the fact that it was given and paid for when there was no approval of the president.

    Then two, this company is also a transport company that may not count as such but the only thing we have against it was that it was given without president approval.
    Entails Building and Logistics, this company was given the contract for emergency consultancy for the provision of refresher training for caregivers for the prevention and treatment of coronavirus and the contract sum was 268,481,250. 15% mobilisation was paid on the 22nd of April representing 40,272,187.5. The batch number is 13659 and batch number 13630.

    After tax was removed, the company received in his account 35,000,238.164. Ordinarily we should have left this pass without looking deep into it but the fault again like others was that it was awarded without the approval and it was denied on national television.
    Again Tails Building, this company is not a health-related company, this is a logistic company but it was given a contract to train health care workers or care givers.

    We learned that this company who sublet, as a matter of fact I didn’t want to go into these things but Dr Cairo that I was privilege to see to on national television said one Dr Ufuoma was handling this project going around the country and I know that Dr Ufuoma did not get this contract directly, it was sublet to her by Tails Buildings and Logistics Company and she has only collected 15million naira even when they have paid Tails 35million naira. She has gone to many of the states except two states.
    Perhaps the only thing we have against this will not be the non-implementation but the fact that it was awarded without approval. We may not be able to question the sum because our accountant said it was not out of place.
    I know her, she is a professional and she will do a very good job, not speaking for her.
    We have alarmed, we wrote this national assembly sometimes back, not too long ago that the commission should be directed to stop payment.

  • BREAKING: Earth shaking revelations galore as Reps probe NDDC contract scams

    BREAKING: Earth shaking revelations galore as Reps probe NDDC contract scams

    …how N.7bn contract media consultancy job was allegedly awarded to an engineering firm

    … healthcare contract awarded to logistics firm

    ..contracts awarded without due process

    …contracts were awarded before Presidential approval

    Earth shaking revelations have been made at the ongoing House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) probe of alleged contract scams by the government interventionist agency.

    This is coming barely 24 hours after President Muhammadu Buhari cautioned government agencies to respect the National Assembly, and proper and well coordinated probe should be carried out on the Commission.

    Kolawole Johnson, a critical stakeholder at the panel revealed that a media consultancy job worth N.7bn was allegedly awarded to an engineering firm.

    He also told the panel that a healthcare contract was awarded to a logistics company worth N35m.

    The panel was also informed that these contracts were awarded on the 22nd of April and Presidential approval was given on the 30th of April.

     

    Details soon…

  • Buhari speaks on NDDC crisis, orders speedy, coordinated probe of alleged missing N40bn

    Buhari speaks on NDDC crisis, orders speedy, coordinated probe of alleged missing N40bn

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday spoke on the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) N40 billion probe, which has sparked a row between the National Assembly and the agency’s Interim Management Committee (IMC).

    The President ordered a “speedy” and “coordinated investigation” of the activities of the NDDC management.

    He said there should be a better coordination among security and investigation agencies, and the National Assembly to unravel the problems militating against the agency’s performance and factors undermining the development of the Niger Delta.

    President Buhari, who vowed to wield the big stick against culprits in the agency’s mismanagement, expressed his determination “to get to the root of the problems.”

    The President also said he will not tolerate any form of disrespect to the National Assembly by his appointees.

    The president, in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, titled: “NDDC: President Buhari directs speedy coordinated investigation”, said sanity, transparency and accountability should be restored in the management of resources allocated to NDDC for the development of the region.

    Also, Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who expressed dismay at the rancorous investigation, warned that the National Assembly will no more tolerate rascality on the part of government’s appointees.

    President Buhari and the Senate President issued their stern warnings, shortly after the NDDC Managing Director, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, walked out on the Olubunmi Ojo-led House of Representatives Committee, which is investigating the alleged N40 billion sleaze in the agency.

    Southsouth governors backed the forensic probe of the NDDC, saying that it is in the interest of the region.

    The chairman of the Southsouth Governors’ Forum, Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, said the probe would reposition the agency for better performance.

    There was drama at the committee sitting when Pondei declined to make a presentation on the ground that Tunji-Ojo was an “interested party” in the NDDC affairs.

    Irked by his outburst, the Committee ordered a warrant of arrest on him.

    President Buhari, in his first public reaction to the NDDC probe, directed all agencies and auditing firms investigating the misuse of NDDC resources to work together with the National Assembly in ensuring transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.

    He said the agencies “must act with urgency and a sense of purpose”, adding that they should keep him abreast of all actions being taken.”

    The President also urged the agencies and individuals involved in the running of the agency to exercise caution.

    The president’s statement reads in part: “President Buhari has given directives for better coordination among security and investigating agencies with the National Assembly to ensure that the administration’s effort to bring sanity, transparency and accountability to the management of the large amount of resources dedicated to development of the Niger Delta sub-region is not derailed.

    “In his reaction to the unfolding drama, which include attacks and counter-attacks between and around persons, institutions, and the NDDC, President Buhari expressed his strong determination to get to the root of the problems undermining the development of the Niger Delta and its peoples, in spite of enormous national resources voted year after year for this singular purpose.

    “President Buhari said the administration wants to bring about “rapid, even and sustainable development to the region.

    ”The President gave firm assurance that his administration would put in place a transparent and accountable governance framework, not only in the NDDC but in all other institutions of government.”

    President Buhari said his administration would not tolerate any form of disrespect to the National Assembly.

    He gave the assurance when he received the leadership of the National Assembly, led by the President of the Senate, Senior Ahmad Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila, at the State House.

    According to a separate statement issued by Shehu, the President restated his respect for the National Assembly as a democratic institution.

    He said: “President Muhammadu Buhari received in audience the distinguished Senate President Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan and Rt. Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila at the State House, Aso Villa.

    “The meeting, which lasted for almost an hour, was characterized by an engaging discussion on a range of key issues of National importance particularly the role of the Legislature as a critical component in supporting their common goal and commitment towards improving the lives of the people of Nigeria.

    “In the course of their conversation, recent events at the National Assembly were highlighted and the President re-emphasized his utmost respect for the National Assembly, adding that any disrespect to the institution by any member of the executive branch will not be accepted.

    “Ministers and all heads of Departments and Agencies should at all times conduct themselves in ways that will not undermine the National Assembly as an institution, its leadership and members.

    “The President and the leaders of the National Assembly recognized and acknowledged that the Executive and Legislative arms of government are essential partners in the fulfillment of their mutually aligned goal of improving the lives of the Nigerian people”, the statement said..

    Senate President Lawan told State House correspondents that the National Assembly would no “longer tolerate indiscrete attitudinal displays from presidential appointees.”

    He lamented that some appointees were bent on damaging the existing cordial relations between Buhari and the National Assembly.

    Lawan said: “If you are an appointee of the President, you are supposed to be reflective of the attitude of the President towards the National Assembly.

    “The National Assembly will take exception to any attitude or disposition that is not in support of the harmony in the relationship between the two arms of government.

    ”We have had a very good engagement with Mr President. Mr President has always respected the Legislature, he has always commended the National Assembly members for always being there to ensure that the requests by the Executive, in the national interest, are processed.”

  • IGP, Rivers Police Commissioner distance self from siege at Nunieh’s residence

    IGP, Rivers Police Commissioner distance self from siege at Nunieh’s residence

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, and Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Joseph Gobum Mukan, have said they knew nothing about the deployment of a team of policemen that laid siege to the residence of dismissed acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Joy Nunieh, on Thursday.

    Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State had to rescue Nunieh and take her to the State House in his official vehicle, when mobile police officers, reportedly drafted from Mopol 19, invaded her home as early as 4a.m.

    While the drama lasted, Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, DSP Nnamdi Omoni, indicated that the Mopol presence at Numieh’s residence wasn’t the directive of the Police Command in Rivers State, urging media inquiries to be directed to higher authorities.

    Also, Governor Wike, expressing his disgust with the police action, said: “I called the Commissioner of Police, he said he was not aware. “They said it’s the IGP Monitoring Team. But I have spoken to the authorities, they said the IGP is not even aware.

    “For me, if there is any crime against Dr. Joy Numieh, I will not back her. Some say she is not in my party, so I shouldn’t intervene, but she’s a Rivers daughter.”

    However, reports have it that the said Mopol 19 squad reportedly arrived at Nunieh’s 3 Owuru Creek View, off Herbert Macaulay Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt, residence about 4a.m, barring her from leaving for Port Harcourt International Airport to connect the early flight to Abuja.

    Nunieh alleged that “this is definitely the handiwork of those who don’t want me to tell the truth about what is going on at the NDDC.

    “My governor, Wike, says they have tried to pressure him to retract his warning that I should not be harmed, but he has refused.”

  • Ex-MD of NDDC, Joi Nunieh speaks after her rescue by Gov Wike

    Ex-MD of NDDC, Joi Nunieh speaks after her rescue by Gov Wike

    Dr. Joi Nunieh, the mmediate past acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has opened up after Thursday’s intervention by Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.

    Nunieh, who thanked Governor Wike for coming to her rescue, said the armed policemen came about 4 am, and that they broke into her premises but were stopped by the security door leading to her main room.

    “Those who told me the Commissioner of Police was downstairs, lied because it was his deputy that actually came. I opened the door, and they wanted to grab me, I now pushed back the door and locked it and went upstairs.

    “So, my Governor came, asked them for the warrant of arrest and why they did not invite me to the police station instead of attempting to abduct a woman like a criminal.

    “The governor took me away in his car and I am taking refuge in Government House. I want to thank His Excellency for keeping to his word that nothing should happen to a daughter of Rivers State.

    “I was supposed to be going to Abuja today to make my submission before the Committee of the House of Representatives. I am sure the motive was to stop me,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Governor Wike has called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances that led to over 50 armed policemen storming the Port Harcourt residence of Dr. Nunieh.

    Wike, who was on physically ground to frustrate the attempted arrest of Nunieh, berated the armed policemen who he said claimed to be members of the Inspector General Monitoring Unit.

    The governor said under a civilised society, the proper thing to do is to invite her to answer to any allegation.

    But to storm her residence at such an unholy hour , the governor said, suggests some sinister motive that should not be tolerated.

    “What has happened today is a disgrace. Who knows what would have happened to her if they had gained access to her main room. I went there personally to see things for myself and rescued her.

    “She is supposed to testify before the House of Representatives Committee and here we are having armed men wanting to abduct her.

    “We came out to protect our daughter and we will do so to every Rivers citizen. That is the oath of office I swore to. It doesn’t matter the political affiliation. We will not allow anybody to destroy Rivers state.

    “It is so unfortunate and I cry for this country concerning the ways things are going. They didn’t have a warrant of arrest, but would storm somebody’s house, in fact, the State Commissioner of Police is not aware.

    “So, tell me how something will happen in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware. They said it’s the Inspector General Monitoring Unit. So, we have such a Unit taking over the responsibility of crime fighting in a state and the Commissioner of Police is not aware. I can also assume too that the Inspector General of Police is not aware. He should investigate it, ” he said.

    The governor also called on governors of states that make up the NDDC to ensure that their citizens do not have a hand in the planned abduction of the former Managing Director of NDDC.

    “If there is any allegation of crime against her, I will not back her, but you can’t kill her for no established crime. I don’t know who’s responsible, but whoever is behind it should not take Rivers state for granted because we will fight back.

    “From what has happened now, I want to say that Rivers State is fully out. Anybody who is responsible for this attempted abduction of our daughter, should know that enough is enough.

    “They can’t treat her as a common criminal. I am sure that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of this.

    “All the Niger Delta States should find out if any of their citizens have a hand in the unfortunate incident and call on such people to leave our daughter alone. She is no longer the Managing Director of NDDC.

    “The way things are going now, it seems people want to destroy Rivers State and it is unacceptable.

    “Using the police to carry out abduction of citizens should not be encouraged. A similar incident had happened in this state before when they wanted to use the same style to abduct a serving Judge.

  • N40bn probe: Reps C’ttee orders arrest of NDDC acting MD

    N40bn probe: Reps C’ttee orders arrest of NDDC acting MD

    The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued warrant of arrest on the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.

    The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) at an investigative hearing on Thursday in Abuja.

    The resolution was made after Pondei and his team, walked out on legislators investigating the alleged N40 billion irregular expenditure in the commission.

    Pondei, accused the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo) of corrupt practices.
    He said that the NDDC will only respond and make presentations if the Chairman of the committee steps down.

    Kalu, who is the spokesman for the house, commended the committee members for the maturity exhibited following the provocations by the NDDC boss.

    “I want to refer this committee as well as the invited guests to section 60 which says that, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have powers to regulate its own procedure.

    “It is within the parameters of the law that the house regulates its activities, this is a committee affair and not a personalised affair.

    “I want to move that this committee invokes the provisions of section 89 of the Constitution and invoke our powers on warrant of arrest to compel the agency to come and answer how they have administered the money appropriated to them,” he said.

    The committee, however, passed a vote of confidence on the chairman, describing him as a man of integrity and a leader of high reputation.

    Earlier, Tunji-Ojo said that the committee was mandated by the house to carry out an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the agency.

    He said that documents from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that the NDDC had spent N81.5 billion between January and May.

    The chairman recalled that officials from the CBN and the OAGF had appeared at the hearing on Wednesday and confirmed the amount so far spent by the NDDC.

  • BREAKING: Reps committee orders arrest of NDDC acting MD

    BREAKING: Reps committee orders arrest of NDDC acting MD

    The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a warrant of arrest on the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei.

    The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of a motion by Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) at an investigative hearing on Thursday in Abuja.

    The resolution was made after Pondei and his team, walked out on legislators investigating the alleged N40 billion irregular expenditure in the commission.

    Pondei, accused the Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo) of corrupt practices.
    He said that the NDDC will only respond and make presentations if the Chairman of the committee steps down.

    Kalu, who is the spokesman for the house, commended the committee members for the maturity exhibited following the provocations by the NDDC boss.

    “I want to refer this committee as well as the invited guests to section 60 which says that, the Senate or the House of Representatives shall have powers to regulate its own procedure.

    “It is within the parameters of the law that the house regulates its activities, this is a committee affair and not a personalised affair.

    “I want to move that this committee invokes the provisions of section 89 of the Constitution and invoke our powers on warrant of arrest to compel the agency to come and answer how they have administered the money appropriated to them,” he said.

    The committee, however, passed a vote of confidence on the chairman, describing him as a man of integrity and a leader of high reputation.

    Earlier, Tunji-Ojo said that the committee was mandated by the house to carry out an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds in the agency.

    He said that documents from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that the NDDC had spent N81.5 billion between January and May.

    The chairman recalled that officials from the CBN and the OAGF had appeared at the hearing on Wednesday and confirmed the amount so far spent by the NDDC.

  • NDDC has failed for two decades – Gbajabiamila

    NDDC has failed for two decades – Gbajabiamila

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has stated that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has failed the region and its people for over two decades.

    According to him, the commission failed in spite of the huge funds at its disposal.

    Speaking during an investigative hearing on the alleged financial mismanagement in the NDDC, Gbajabiamila stated that the people of Niger Delta are yet to benefit from the commission which was established 20 years ago.

    He said; “In the over two decades since that promise has not been kept. Despite its critical importance and the vast sums that have been appropriated by the Federal Government, the Niger Delta of Nigeria continues to score exceptionally low on many of the major human development indices.

    “These statistics reflect the reality of disease and deprivation, lack of opportunity and broken dreams that is the plight of many of our fellow citizens in the region.

    “It is therefore particularly disturbing and quite frankly, embarrassing that every other news report about the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) seems to centre around escalating allegations of corruption and malfeasance.

    “The purpose of this investigative hearing is to ask why the failure persists and to do so with a determination to understand the causes of that failure so that the parliament can act to redeem the NDDC and remove those factors that imperil the commission’s noble mission.

    “We will examine the allegations of corruption and malfeasance that have dogged the commission. We will do so with neither fear nor favour, confident in the assurance that we have both a constitutional duty and moral obligation to ensure that the enormous sums of money appropriated to the NDDC over the years are appropriately accounted for by those whose responsibility it has been to manage this important and all too essential public trust.”

    Gbajabiamila added that the success of the investigation will depend on the willingness of the various ‘stakeholders’ in the commission, within government and in the local communities, to cooperate with the committee.

    He said; “I encourage all the stakeholders to consider this investigative hearing as a last-ditch effort to save the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and to engage with this committee in a patriotic partnership to break the jinx of underdevelopment in the Niger Delta region.”

  • BREAKING: NDDC management walk out on Reps, accuse commitee chairman of corruption

    BREAKING: NDDC management walk out on Reps, accuse commitee chairman of corruption

    The Acting Managing Director of The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Daniel Pondei, has led a walk out on the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta.

    Mr Pondei, who appeared with other management staff of the commission, accused the chairman of the house committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, of corruption. He said because of that, his team will not speak before the committee.

    “We are not comfortable with the chairman of this committee presiding over a matter he has been accused of.”

    He asked the committee chairman to recuse himself from the investigation.

    “There is no point of order here. As long as he is the chairman of this committee, the NDDC will not make any presentation here,” he said.

    When lawmakers intervened and told the NDDC team that nobody could decide its modus operandi, the NDDC management staged a walkout.

    The house is conducting an investigative hearing on the alleged financial malfeasance and other activities in the NDDC.

  • Reps to NDDC: ‘Explain how N3.14bn was spent on Covid-19, Lassa fever N1.9bn, others in 5 months’

    Reps to NDDC: ‘Explain how N3.14bn was spent on Covid-19, Lassa fever N1.9bn, others in 5 months’

    By Emma Ovuakporie

    The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC probing allegations of gross misappropriation of funds by NDDC has demanded to know how N81billion was expended within five months of the Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Commission.

    Speaking at the ongoing probe of the commission, the chairman of the committee, Hon Tunji Ojo said:

    “The committee shall summon the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NNDC to appear unfailingly on Thursday, July 16.

    The chairman said that documents obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation showed that NDDC had spent N81.5 billion between January and May.

    Giving the breakdown of the sum, Tunji-Ojo said that the NDDC had spent N1.3 billion on community relations, N122.9 million on condolences and N122.9 million on consultancy.

    The lawmaker said that the commission had spent N31.4 billion on COVlD-19, N486million on Duty Tour Allowances (DTA) N790.9 million on impress and N1.956 billion on Lassa fever.

    According to him, the NDDC has spent N900 million on legal services, N220million on maintenance, N85.6 million on oversea travel while project public communication gulped N1.121 billion

    Tunji-Ojo said that the documents also showed that N744m was spent on security, N20.9 billion on staffing related payments while N248 million was spent on stakeholder’s engagement between Feb. 18 and May 31, 2020.

    See Breakdown of monies spent:

    Community relations — N1 .3bn

    2. Condolences — N122.9m

    3. Consultancy – N83m

    4. COVlD—19 — N3.14 billion

    5. DTA – N486million

    6. Impress – N790.9 million

    7. Lassa fever — N1.956 billion

    8. Legal services — N900million

    9. Maintenance – N220million

    10. Oversea travel – N85.6 million

    l 1. Project public communication – Nl.121 billion

    12. Security – N744m

    13. Staffing related payments N8.8 billion

    14. Stakeholders engagement (Feb 18- May 31, 2020) N248million

    Total of the amount spent by IMC: N81.5 billion