x

Fresh crisis rock NDDC

*N111 billion accruals allegedly pitch stakeholders against Akpabio  

By Doris Fedinard

Fresh crisis may be brewing at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC over alleged failure of its new Interim Administrator to account for a whooping sum of N111, 621,716,618.4, which accrued to the Commission in the last four months.

For this reason, stakeholders have expressed fears that the NDDC may not be able to pay April salaries owing to its very lean balance in its accounts, which stood at N394, 225,271.02 as at April 26, 2021.

Records obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN indicates that the Commission received N73, 459,210,640.42 through one of its two accounts number 9120179661018, domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN and another N38, 054,241,559.60 through account number 0130179642013 still at the CBN.

According to the records, while the balance in the first account stood at N108, 264,418.38, the second one has N285, 960,862.74, as at April, 25, 2021.

Considering the fact that with a monthly wage bill of N1.2 billion, the NDDC requires additional N700 million to meet its salary requirement for the month of April.

Subsequently, there is palpable apprehension amongst staff and stakeholders including the state Governors of the possible failure of the Commission to meet its core mandate even as there are indicators of possible bankruptcy unless something is done.

It would be recalled that Governors in the region had earlier advised that an embargo be placed on spending at the NDDC, pending the inauguration of a proper board but that seems to have been ignored.

Already, accusing fingers are being pointed at the Minister of the Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio for allegedly cajoling the Interim Administrator to embark on invisible spending which may have led to the present quagmire.

Some stakeholders who spoke to our correspondent on conditions of anonymity alleged that notwithstanding the denials by the Minister, he has been wooing officers of investigative agencies to forestall possible probes into the finances of the Commission.

According to our correspondent, attempts to speak with the Interim Administrator of the NDDC, Mr. Effiong Akwa were unsuccessful as he was not picking his calls, neither did he respond to enquiries via SMS.

On the other hand, the Director of Finance, Mr. Ubi Enoch who is a signatory to the NDDC accounts, however told our correspondent that he was not competent to comment on the issue, as he is not the custodian of the records obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.

“I am not competent to speak on the matter. It is only my Interim Administrator, so you can direct your inquiries to him please”, he stated.

Hot this week

Editors Urge Government To Create Safe, Enabling Environment For Journalists

· Ask security agents to find missing Vanguard journalist As...

EXCLUSIVE: Buhari orders probe of Isa Funtua, AMCON over keystone and Etisalat

Following the controversy generated by the leading opposition party,...

6 Signs your boyfriend thinks you are ugly -Take note of No. 2

They say there are three kinds of people; the...

2023: South-East, Middle Belt Forum Endorses Peter Obi

The South-East and Middle Belt Forum has endorsed the...

Former Plateau Governor’s Aide Calls for Unity in PDP Amid Internal Rifts

By Israel Adamu, Jos A media consultant to former Plateau...

Kaduna Journalist Decries Threats to Life Over Report on Security Raids

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Kaduna-based investigative journalist, Mr. Idibia U.A....

Sokoto State Flags Off Landmark Gas Cylinder Distribution Program

By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto The Sokoto State Government, in collaboration...

Advancing China-Africa Relations: Second Post-FOCAC Forum Holds in Abuja

The Centre for Contemporary Africa-China Research in Nigeria on...

Kaduna: Security Operatives Raid Hotels, Arrest Dozens of Suspects

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna Security operatives, suspected to be members...

17 States Set to Celebrate Olympic Day Across Nigeria on June 28

As the June 28, 2025, Olympic Day approaches, 17...
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img