NDDC condemns reports on alleged disappearance of funds, abandoning projects
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has strongly condemned what it described as a spurious, unfounded, and irresponsible news story entitled “N21.9b Akwa Ibom NDDC Office Fund Disappears, Project Abandoned”, making the rounds online.
A statement issued by Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, Director, Corporate Affairs of the commission, stated that the story alleged, among many others, that the foundation stone of the project was laid two years before and that reptiles had taken over the site, “as well as the actionable, criminal lie that the Managing Director/CEO of the Commission, Mr. Nsima Ekere, allegedly diverted the funds to his governorship election in Akwa Ibom State.”
The statement read in part: “While it is not our usual practice to dignify irresponsible and fraudulent journalism with a response, we believe it is important to set the facts straight, so that the public will know the truth and understand that in this day of politicking, people who sit in otherwise noble and responsible positions, compelled by desperate efforts to demonise their opponents, resort to blackmail, lies, dubious shenanigans and questionable tactics to deceive the people and divert their attention from their own failings.”
Dr. Abosede restated that the Niger Delta Development Commission was a responsible and responsive organisation, under a Governing Board peopled by very responsible Nigerians, with clear protocols for the administration and implementation of projects and programmes, adding that it was not a one-man show and could not, therefore, experience any diversion of funds, as the story alleged.
According to the statement, the foundation laying ceremony for the project was laid only on July 20, 2018, and not two years ago and that the project was awarded to Messrs Brett Integrated Investment Limited, not Brett Nigeria Limited, at the contract value of N1,061,012,796.22.
The Director, Corporate Affairs of NDDC said that the amount of N21.9 billion quoted in the report was false and unfounded.
“The contractors have been at site working. A visit to the site will reveal, as these pictures reveal, will show that materials are on site, iron works fabricated and over 10,000 blocks moulded, which would take the project to its first milestone within one month, as assured by the contractors. Only last week, more materials were deposited at site.
