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NYCN Faults NDDC Scholars Protest in London
The National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has faulted the blockage of Nigeria House in London by scholars of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over unpaid fees.
Recall that the protesting scholars, about 30 of them, are part of the 94 students absorbed into the scheme in 2018.
The NYCN in a statement signed by its President, Solomon Adodo explained that the protest was totally uncalled for. The decision of the scholars to go ahead with the protest despite swift actions taken by the Presidency and the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs in ensuring that the outstanding fees were cleared is worthy of commendation.
“While it is unfortunate that there was a delay in paying the fees, we undertook an independent scrupulous investigation on the matter from the Commission, the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and the Ministry of Finance. From our findings, the hitches in making the payment was genuine. Also, those hitches have been overcome, sorted out and the funds dispatched.
“Consequently, we find the insistence on protesting as a unnecessary step and a ploy to dent the good image of our dear nation. While protest is a rightful and democratic means of expressing grievances, care must be taken for it not to be abused.
It should be recalled that the Interim Management of the NDDC, on Friday, assured the beneficiaries of its scholarship programme in the United Kingdom that their outstanding claims will be paid within a week. True to this commitment, the funds have been released this week.
The Commission said, “some unforeseen circumstances, including the upheavals that followed the EndSARS protests by youths, constituted stumbling blocks for the speedy implementation of the payment plan”.
The protest is the second to be staged by the students in a month who are lamenting the hardship brought upon them by the delay in payment of their dues. Now that they have been paid we expect them to refrain from such unpatriotic protests as it might pass an entirely different message to the world.
Comrade Adodo advised the students to focus on their studies and be good Ambassadors of the country. He further assured that the interest of the Nigerian Youth will always be protected anywhere in the world and the President Muhammadu Buhari government has always given attention to the genuine concerns of Nigerian Youth.
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November 5, 2020
A’Ibom communities decry abandoned NDDC projects
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Communities in Akwa Ibom have called on the Niger Delta Development Commission to expedite actions in completing its projects abandoned in the state, describing as alarming the spate of abandoned projects in the state.
The communities in their separate calls, lamented that the positive effect of the interventionist agency has not been felt by the intended beneficiaries with some of the projects having been abandoned for as long as 15 years.
Many of their leaders who spoke with newsmen stated that the trend has denied the region and its people better and improved standard of living and dividends as oil producing region.
For instance, a comprehensive water project in Nduo Ndu Okon Eket village in Eket Local Council awarded in 2017 to Mangrove Swam Limited to provide portable drinking water for the people is far from coming true due to the none completion of the water project, exposing community members to water burn diseases and other health implications.
According to residents, the sign post bearing the contractor’s vital information on site has been deliberately removed by the contractors so they could not be traced.
In Ikot itak in Ibeno Local Council, the hopes and aspirations of commuting on a good motorable road has been dashed as the Inua Eyet Ikot-Itak Ukpa Okposo road and a bridge awarded to movanni global services limited and cadlink associates consultant is still uncompleted after four years.
Awarded in 2017 the road project was the meant to link over Twenty eastern riverine communities in ibeno Host community to ExxonMobil.
Meanwhile, residents of Enwang, headquarters of Mbo LGA have blamed the sheer number of abandoned NDDC projects on top PDP members in the state who abandoned the projects after collecting mobilization fees.
The projects included, roads, water and schools.
A community leader, Mr George Antai said, “Enwang community is littered with so many abandoned projects by the intervention agency. It’s appalling that some of the contrcators are PDP bigwigs who abandoned the projects after collecting mobilization fees.
” We appeal to the Commission to order the contractors to sites to complete these projects. We have over five roads , blocks of classrooms and water projects that have been taken over by tall grasses.”
Also, youths drawn from Eastern Obolo Local Council have lamented abandoned projects by the NDDC threatening that the neglect of the areas by federal agencies could lead to a crisis situation if the situation is not addressed
Their spokesperson, Jonah Adasi said “the neglect of the oil bearing areas of Eastern Obolo since the creation of NDDC has brought untold hardship on the people”.
A community leader Mr Ita Udoh blamed the abandonment of projects and the poor performance of the NDDC on lack of project supervision, commitment and synergy with various state governments across Niger delta region.
Udoh, a former commissioner for environment in the state called for a complete overhauling of the NDDC through the ongoing forensic audit for the wellbeing of rich Niger delta region.
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September 28, 2020
FEC approves N745m to hire auditors for NDDC
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N745 million for the hiring of additional forensic field auditors for the audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, also disclosed that the council approved the hiring of auditors to ensure that whatever comes out of the forensic audit is acceptable not just in Nigeria but to the international community.
Akpabio said: “The memo that was presented by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs was a concluding memo on the procurement of Field Forensic Auditors for the forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission and today the council approved additional forensic field auditors at a total sum of about N745.2 million.
“This brings the total number of field forensic auditors to 16 in addition to the earlier approved Lead Forensic Auditors, Messrs Olumiluwa Bashir and Co.
“These people are now going to be in charge of the nine states of the Niger Delta which has been divided into 16 lots. As I stated earlier, lots one is Ernst and Young for the headquarters.
“They will be undertaking the 19 years of audit and also bring out the organigram for the restructuring of the NDDC for better performance in future.’’
The minister added that the council equally approved the need to attach investigative security agencies to each of the team to ensure transparency in the exercise.
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September 24, 2020
Forensic Audit: NDYM urges Akpabio, others to rescue NDDC
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
A youth group, Niger Delta Youth Movement, NDYM, has appealed to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and top management of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC to use the forensic audit to rescue the commission from corruption plaguing it since inception.
National President of NDYM, Comrade Joe Jackson, who made the appeal in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday in Uyo, stressed that the people of Niger Delta region were looking forward to seeing the NDDC repositioned to serve them well.
Jackson restated their gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence reposed on Akpabio and the leadership of the Interim Management Committee (IMC) to redeem the image of the NDDC.
He added that his organization would continue to support and pray for all teams involved in the ongoing investigation to succeed in their assignment, despite plots to stop the forensic exercise.
“The Niger Delta Youth Movement (NDYM) once again appreciate President Muhammadu Buhari for the order to carry out a forensic audit of the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) from 2001 to 2019.
“We are grateful that the President for appointing Senator Godswill Akpabio to oversee the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as well as supervise the NDDC. We share in the confidence the president has in his (Akpabio’s) capacity and competence.

“While congrtulating Mr Effiong Akwa on his recent appointment as the Executive Director Finance and Administration (EDFA) in the NDDC, we wish to draw his attention to the fact that he is coming at a time the Niger Delta region and indeed the entire country wants to see a redeemed NDDC at the end of Forensic audit.
“It is our prayers therefore, that leadership of the NDDC led by the acting Managing Director Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, and the IMC to continue to cooperate with the forensic audtiors to bring sanity in the NDDC for the benefit of the region and Nigeria in general.
“That will go a long way to justify the trust and confidence reposed on them which necessitated their appointments in the Commission. The Movement on its part shall continue to support their efforts in managing the commission so far. We understand that managing a volatile region such as ours is not a tea party.” The statement said.
September 16, 2020
Stakeholders charge FG on prosecution of culpable NDDC officials
By Amadin Idahosa

Indigence and residents of the oil-rich Niger Delta region, as well as stakeholders and civil society organizations have called on President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration not to stop at forensic auditing of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, but prosecute officials and contractors found culpable.
The call was made during a Radio Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption, organized by Progressive Impact Organization for Community Development, PRIMORG, in Abuja.
It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the forensic audit of the troubled Commission, following massive corruption allegations since the establishment of NDDC.
According to Darlington Nwauju, a resident of Woji community in Rivers State, he said the history of abandoned projects dates back from 1961 till date, urging the federal government to ensure that adequate punishment is meted out on NDDC contractors who would be found wanting.
“I believe that merely asking contractors to go back to site will be a dis-service to the people of the region.”
A Human Rights lawyer, Frank Tietie, however, blamed the rate of abandoned projects on criminal collusion by people of the region who are unfortunately running the affairs of NDDC.
He said Niger Delta people have become their own enemies, while also advising the federal government to take advantage of the forensic auditing to expose corruptindividuals who are part of the years of rot in NDDC.
Earlier in the meeting, the Olu of Warri, His Majesty Ogiame Ikenwoli, through a recorded message urged President Buhari to revoke the shoreline protection project in Koko, Warri North Local Council, Delta State, saying it was shabbily executed.
His words: “This is no job at all, I feel bad that such a shoddy is done in my community. Koko is a very special place in my kingdom, there is Nigerian Ports Authority and world class museum here, so everybody from the whole world comes here because of the strategic location and this is the only road leading to the community.
“That was why they said let them construct shoreline protection to protect the community but this cannot stand the test of time.
“I have seen shoreline protection but haven’t seen anything like this. This job should be terminated and a good contractor should be gotten to do a good job or should let the contractor know that this job is unacceptable.
“Tell Mr President we appreciate and thank him for this job but it is unacceptable,” he stated.
According to Ezenwa Nwagwu, Convener of Say No Campaign, NDDC cannot boast of completing and equipping a single hospital in the region since establishment, adding that prosecution of contractors will discourage the ugly state of affairs.
He charged the people of the region to get involved in projects being executed in their communities.
Umuakpo Oviemuno from Isoko North, Delta State, added that in his community, a road awarded over 10 years at an initial cost of N3.5bn has unfortunately remained uncompleted.
Activist, Orugbo Ogisaman who hails from Bayelsa State said road projects have been abandoned for over 12 years by NDDC in his community, including a shoreline protection project. “The shoreline protection has only attained 20% completion after 7 years,” Ogisaman said.
Barrister Okwong Otiotio, from Akwa Ibom State, also lent his voice to the rot in NDDC, stressing that his community was not left as uncompleted projects are littered all over the State.
The moderator of the meeting, Felix Akugha added the testaments were worrisome but unfortunately true.
The meeting which drew the attention of concerned Nigerians, civil society organisations and journalists across the country, with the support of MacArthur Foundation.
September 14, 2020
COVID-19: Senate reacts to claim of NASS members receiving N35m as palliative from NDDC
The Senate on Tuesday insisted that federal lawmakers did not receive any palliative from the Nigerian Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
It was reacting to an allegation by the Executive Director (Projects) of NDDC, Cairo Ojuogboh, that National Assembly members got between N20m and 15m as COVID-19 palliatives.
However, the Senate charged Ojuogboh to provide evidence of lawmakers who benefitted from the funds or publicly apologize for making such an allegation.
The Senate issued the denial in a statement by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Ajibola Basiru.
According to Basiru: “The Senate views with grave concern a statement credited to Dr Cairo Ojougboh, the Executive Director, Projects of the NDDC who alleged that National Assembly members received varying sums of money as COVID-19 palliative
“The Senate categorically denies that any Senator collected the sum of N20 million or any sum whatsoever from NDDC as Covid relief fund of for any purpose whatsoever.
“The Senate challenges Dr Ojougboh to publicly provide evidence of his claim and list the names of the Senators he allegedly gave the alleged sum.”
September 2, 2020
A’Ibom community petitions Reps’ Speaker, ICPC over abandoned N3.5bn NDDC projects
By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Distraught residents of Uboro Oro community in Urue Offong Oruko Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom have expressed anger over some unexecuted Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) road projects abandoned by the contractors.
The petition which was addressed to the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) was made available to newsmen in Uyo yesterday, and signed by Chief Bassey Isong, Chairman of the project Committee of the Uboro Oro Progressives Union (UPU).
According to the petitions “the interventionist agency had awarded a N90million contract to a construction firm, Trail Blazer Engineering Ltd for a one kilometre of road spanning from the East-West road at Umume in the same Local Government Area”, lamenting that the contract was thereafter abandoned.
The petitioners pointed at the mega road project awarded by the NDDC to the tune of N2.6billion to another firm, HIGGENSMARA Nig Ltd with the initial mobilization cash of N300million, regretting that the 18 kilometre road had since been abandoned.
The road, they explained, “was to begin from Oyoku Assang in Okobo Local Government Area through Okiuso and Eweme in the same Council area with a spur of nine kilometers from Umume on East-West road, through Uboro-Oro, into Mbo Local Government Aarea”.
The contracts, the petitiomers recalled, was flagged-off with fanfare on Wednesday, 17 July, 2013, as the village head of the Uboro Oro community handed over the projects to the beneficiary firms of the NDDC.
“That day and the ceremony was the last anything happened on the N90million contracts, while an official of the NDDC told a representative of the community who went to Port Harcourt, Rivers state-to ascertain the petition of the N2.6billion job was told that the mother of the Managing Director (MD) of HIGGENSMARA Nig Ltd had health challenge and he had to use the N300million mobilization fee to her abroad for treatment”.
They noted that the affected communities were forced to move with the petitions after discovering that the contractors in collusion with the NDDC officials had taken photographs of another completed projects and presented same “as evidence that the jobs had been completed”.
They, therefore, urged the Reps’ Speaker and the ICPC to investigate the matter with a view to compelling the contractors to return to sites, especially now that the NDDC books are being subjected to forensic analysis over years of frauds and contracts scam.
September 1, 2020
Publish list of lawmakers involved in NDDC contract as SCAM – CNPP tells Buhari

From Ujah Simon, Kaduna

The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the immediate publication of the list of all members of the National Assembly, and any other public office holders involved in the contract scam that recently rocked the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC).

CNPP also urged the Interim Management Committee, (IMC) of the NDDC not to allowed to be cowed by the National Assembly, which it alleged has never been conclusive in any of its probe.
This was contined in a statement issued on Monday by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu, while reacting to media report credited to the Executive Director in charge of Project, at the NDDCD r Cairo Ojougboh.
Dr. Ojougboh who alleged that if the list of those involved in looting the commission is released the country will break, stated that CNPP is demanding for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the contract scam.
Ezugwu said: “The CNPP has been in series of consultations with critical civil society stakeholders to take a position on the ongoing probe of the NDDC.
“However, it became imperative to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to take seriously, the allegation that some members of the National Assembly are plotting to stall the forensic audit ordered by himself. According to him, “It is cheering news to hear that the new NDDC Interim Management Committee, IMC, has resolved to ensure the conclusion of the forensic audit despite the alleged efforts of the National Assembly to muzzle the IMC and frustrate the exercise”.
“Having concluded the first leg of the audit the nation await the second and final leg. But, before then, we urge President Buhari to order the immediate publication of the list of all members of the National Assembly, and any other Nigerian who have been involved in contract scam at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.
“Until this is done to put an end to the ongoing cat and mouse game between the National Assembly and the NDDC management, the world will continue to laugh at the mention of anti-corruption war in Nigeria”, the CNPP stated.
September 1, 2020
NDDC Is A ‘Cash Cow’ For Politicians – Wike
The recent revelations on the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) may have come as a surprise to many Nigerians, but it is not a shocking development for Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
Governor Wike believes the agency has since deviated from its original mandate and has become a source of wealth for some corrupt politicians.
“I have said before and it is very clear; my concern is everybody knows that NDDC was set up for the development of the region,” he told Channels Television on Tuesday during an interview on Sunrise Daily in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
He added, “Unfortunately, they have turned it to a different thing; NDDC is a cash cow for politicians. In my own election, NDDC brought N10 billion cash to fight against me.”
The governor’s reaction is the latest among several others following the probe of the agency by lawmakers in the National Assembly in Abuja.
The lawmakers had launched a probe into the fraud running into billions of naira said to have been perpetrated by the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC between February and May 2020.
This led to the discovery of more scam in the agency which sparked a series of drama and blame games between government officials and lawmakers.
During one of the investigative hearings organised by the National Assembly, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, alleged that about 60 per cent of the NDDC projects were awarded to lawmakers – a claim that sparked more reactions from some members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
They Have Not Invited Us
Amid various responses to the minister’s claim, Governor Wike accused the agency of embarking on projects in Rivers without the consent of the state government.
He also reacted to the probe of the NDDC by the lawmakers, saying it was one-sided as the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the agency led by Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei ought to be investigated as well.
“When they are talking about probing IMC, I said what are you doing only with IMC, what about the other committees? Professor Kemebradikumo and the rest of them. They (the lawmakers) have not invited us and why I don’t want to go is that what am I doing with the IMC?” the governor asked.
He stated, “I am one governor who challenged the NDDC; we went to the Federal High Court, the Federal High Court returned the matter to the State High Court. NDDC went to appeal and we won them and at the State High Court, we have won them.
“You cannot go to a state and begin to carry out projects without the permission of the state government, you don’t know what their plans are. You can’t come into my state to disturb my development plan, you must let me know.”
Governor Wike believes that in order to reverse the fortune of the agency, technocrats and not politicians should be placed in charge of the commission to enable it function effectively.
Explaining the role of governors in the South-South, he said, “Under the NDDC Act, there should be a governing board made up of the governors.
“Since 2015 we have been asking for that board, but it was only last year that the President was able to … constitute a governing board. But that is just theory.”
August 4, 2020
BREAKING: Buhari orders payment of NDDC scholarship students
President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the payment of fees and stipends of stranded scholarship students of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) studying abroad.
A statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, said Buhari conveyed the directive to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, following the protest of the students.
Odili said the students would be paid by the end of the week explaining that the delay was caused by the sudden death of Chief Ibanga Etang, the then Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration, EDFA, of the Commission in May.
Odili said: “Under the Commission’s finance protocol, only the Executive Director (Finance) and the Executive Director (Projects) can sign for the release of funds from the Commission’s domiciliary accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN.
“With the death of Chief Etang, the remittance has to await the appointment of a new EDFA. Senator Akpabio, the Honourable Minister, said President Buhari who has been briefed on the protest by students at the Nigerian High Commission in London, has ordered that all stops be pulled to pay the students by the end of this week. We expect a new EDFA to be appointed this week. As soon as that is done, they would all be paid.”
Odili said NDDC had extended an invitation to Buhari to inaugurate the 29-kilometre Ogbia-Nembe Road in Bayelsa State noting that the road was built in conjunction with the Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC) to create a land link to the ancient city of Nembe for the first time.
Odili said that the road project, which cost N24 billion, cutting through swampy terrain to connect 14 other communities, needed 10 bridges and 99 culverts.
“To conquer the swampy terrain, the construction involved digging out four metres of clay soil and sand filling it to provide a base for the road. The road has cut the journey time to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, from three hours to one and a half hours.
“This project is a not only a flag ship of intervention in the Niger Delta, it is also a model of development partnership between the Commission and international oil companies in the region,” he said.
On the list of NDDC contracts handled by members of the National Assembly, Odili noted that the one submitted by Senator Akpabio was not compiled by the minister but came from the files in the Commission.
He said the list submitted to the National Assembly was compiled by the then management of the Commission in 2018 adding that there was another set of lists for emergency project contracts awarded in 2017 and 2019 but were not submitted to the National Assembly.
Odili said: “The Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Commission stands by the list, which came from files already in the possession of the forensic auditors. It is not an Akpabio list but the NDDC’s list. The list is part of the volume of 8,000 documents already handed over to the forensic auditors.”
He said prominent indigenes of the Niger Delta whose names were on the list should not panic as the commission discovered that people used their names to secure contracts, adding that the ongoing forensic audit would unearth persons behind the contracts.
He said the intention of the list was to expose committee chairmen in the National Assembly who used fronts to collect contracts from the commission, some of which were never executed.
Odili added that the list did not include a case of 250 contracts, which were signed for and collected in one day by one person for members of the National Assembly.
He said the forensic audit exercise was on course and the commission positioned 185 media support specialists to identify the sites of every project captured in its books for verification by the forensic auditors.
Odili advised members of the public to discountenance the “avalanche of falsehood being orchestrated by mischief makers,” regretting that “more insinuations and accusations may be thrown into the public space by those opposed to the IMC.”
August 4, 2020