x

Akpabio names lawmakers on NDDC contracts’ list

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has linked some members of the National Assembly to some contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, Our Correspondent has learnt.

Akpabio, however, did not state if the lawmakers were directly awarded the contracts or they nominated the projects under their Zonal Intervention Projects, also known as constituency projects.

The former Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on the NDDC, Mr Nicholas Mutu, who represents the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency of Delta State, is among those linked by the minister with contracts.

The minister listed Mutu’s name against 74 projects, including various emergency road projects in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Rivers states.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had on February 3, 2020, arraigned Mutu before Justice Folashade Giwa-Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged abuse of office and fraud involving about N320m.

Akpabio also linked the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta-North), with 53 projects, which included emergency repairs of Asue Street, Owa Phase 2; ldumuogbe Road via Ojemaye; Otolokpo College Road, Otolokpo; and the Police lshu Ani Ukwu Road, Issele Uku.

Other lawmakers that Akpabio listed projects against are Senator Matthew Urhoghide (Edo-South), six; James Manager (Delta-South), six; Samuel Anyanwu (Imo-West, 8th Senate), 19; and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo Reps.

The minister, however, did not provide the cost of the projects listed against the lawmakers’ names, while the cost of contracts given to non-lawmakers had costs of various projects attached to them.

Our correspondents also observed that contracts listed against the names of the lawmakers were not up to 60 per cent of the 266 on the list provided by Akpabio.

Non-National Assembly members are also on the list.

It was further observed that the minister copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).

The House had on Thursday resolved to sue Akpabio for alleged perjury and defamation of the parliament.

Akpabio had on Monday, while appearing before the House Committee on the NDDC during an investigative hearing on the alleged illegal spending and mismanagement of funds, alleged that members of the National Assembly were awarded 60 per cent of contracts by the commission.

Hot this week

Gov Eno’s Media Aide gives N1.6m training grant to journalists, calls for diligence

By Ogenyi Ogenyi, Uyo ‎Beneficiaries of the N1.6 million broadcast...

FG Cancels Independence Parade, Retains Other Anniversary Events

By Francis Wilfred ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has...

NNPC Foundation’s Training for Vulnerable Farmers in Kano Earns Praise

By Jabiru Hassan KANO, Nigeria – Farmers in Kano State...

UN Business Session: Mahmoud Sells Abuja As Hub for Smart City Innovation

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister of State,Dr. Mariya Mahmoud,has...

PCRC Zone 4 Trains Members on Community Policing in Lafia

By Leo Zwanke, Lafia The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC),...

NYCN Launches Tinubu CARES, Empowers Traders as Nigeria Marks 65th Independence

…Rolls out entrepreneurship fund to boost small businesses …..Distributes modern...

Wike Condoles With Arise News Over Death Of News Anchor, Vows Killers Will Be Apprehended

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has...

Sixty-Five Cheers to a Great Nation in Need of True Reflections

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on behalf of...

Nigeria @65: United, prosperous nation possible under Tinubu administration – Amagbein

By Our Correspondent Better, united and prosperous Nigeria is possible...

NNPC Foundation Boosts Economy with Agricultural Intervention, Say Kano Farmers

By Jabiru Hassan Farmers in Kano State have commended the...

Kogi Boat Mishap: Death Toll Rises to 36, 40 Rescued

By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)...

Nigeria @65: Claims of Progress Are Deceptive – Activist Ukegbu

A social rights activist, Comrade Okechukwu Keshi Ukegbu, has...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img