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NDDC: No dime paid for contracts I facilitated, Kalu tells Akpabio
Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, on Monday said that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not paid the contractors who built the roads he facilitated.
Kalu was reacting to the communique written by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, where he reportedly mentioned ex-governors Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Ibori, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others to have benefited from several contracts awarded by the NDDC.
In a statement by Barrister Emeka Nwala, Kalu said he believed the issues at stake in the NDDC have to do with missing funds and not contracts awarded or jobs executed.
He expressed worry over his name being unjustly tarnished and “used to sell newspapers” by allegations being raised by Akpabio.
According to the Chief Whip of the Senate, the road projects mentioned by the Honourable Minister are the interventions he facilitated for the communities as a private citizen before he became a Senator.
Kalu revealed his name is mentioned because he used his letter headed paper to write a sympathetic letter to the NDDC in 2016 requesting and pleading with the intervention body to rescue roads in in parts of Abia state.
He also insisted his relationship with Senator Akpabio dates years back and long before he (Kalu) became a governor.
He said he would still request for more road interventions from Akpabio as Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.
Kalu said: The roads I requested for intervention as mentioned by the Honourable Minister were repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road; Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze; Ndi Oji Abam-Atan Road; the Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende road and Ozu-Amuru-Abam Road.
“The contractors have completed and delivered these roads long time ago except Abam-Atani road which I learnt from the contractors was slowed down due to rain but still ongoing.
“Meanwhile, it would interest Nigerians to know that the contractors who built these roads have not been paid any dime.
“It has not been easy with the contractors but because it’s a community project they have only but kept hope alive on the NDDC.
“I am so much concerned about roads because I understand the economic importance of good roads, that’s why I built several roads when I was Governor.
“Even as a Senator, it would interest you to know that my major constituency projects are road constructions, reconstructions and rehabilitations. We have put in plans to finish 19 roads in Abia North before end of 2021.
“As a community leader, I do not intend to stop my interventions on roads in NDDC states because all the states need good roads. Good roads help to drive the economy.
“Therefore, I believe the NDDC forensic audit should focus on the missing funds and not works done.
“They should focus on paying contractors that delivered their jobs and not using my name indiscriminately to sell newspapers.
“The Honourable Minister, Senator Godswill Akpabio is my good old friend. We have been friends even before I became a governor.
“I hope he doesn’t expect me to stop seeking for road interventions in our communities. It is his civic responsibility to support the communities and I am very confident he will oblige our future requests especially in areas of good roads.”
He added: “I was Governor of Abia State between 1999-2007 and never held any public office until June 11, 2019 when I was sworn-in as a Senator.
“Between 2016 to 2018, during my tour to several communities, leaders and welfare unions of most communities pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads.
“I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state.
“The NDDC in their consideration which I am very grateful to, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself.
“Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention.”
The Senate Chief Whip also noted that the NDDC that awarded these projects were not any of the interim management in controversy but the fully constituted body of NDDC with a board.
August 3, 2020
NDDC: Pondei’s aide on Special Duties resigns
Mr Olomu Micheal, a Senior Special Assistant Special Duties to the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemeberadikumo Pondei, has resigned his appointment at the commission.
Micheal, in a letter dated July 20, 2020, addressed to the NDDC acting managing director, a copy made available to newsmen on Wednesday, said the decision to bow out of the commission was in his best interest.
The resignation letter read: “I wish to formally inform you of my decision to resign my appointment as Senior Special Assistant Special Duties 1 at NDDC.
“In executing the responsibilities of my office, I have in my best capacity served the interest of the commission and carried out my obligations to her diligently.
“I have resolved that it is in my best interest to take a bow at this point in time.
“I wish to appreciate you for the privilege of service provided me and I wish the commission all the best as I move forward in my sojourn of life.
“Be assured of my highest esteem and regards always”. (NAN)
July 30, 2020
Reps spokesman to Akpabio: Make public your claims
The spokesman for the House of Representatives, Rep. Benjamin Kalu (APC-Abia) has alleged that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, has not proved his allegations against members of the parliament.
In a statement, Kalu challenged the minister to go public with documents to prove that 60 per cent of contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were awarded to lawmakers.
He recalled that Akpabio had made the allegation at an investigative hearing on the alleged N40 billion financial malfeasance in the NDDC.
He recalled that the Speaker of the House, Rep. Femi Gbajabimila, challenged the minister to publish the list of the members within 48 hours.
According to him, instead of publishing the list for the world to see in the interest of transparency, the minister chose to send an eight-paragraph private letter to the speaker.
Kalu explained that the letter by the minister made reference to projects of 2018 which pre-date the 9th House of Representatives and had little to do with the bogus allegation.
“The House therefore reiterates that the minister was given an ultimatum to publish names and not to write a personal letter to the speaker.
“The minister is hereby cautioned to desist from spinning tales and is invited to go public as instructed.
“Nevertheless, it will interest Nigerians to know that paragraph three of the minister’s letter fully exonerated the 9th Assembly.
“Also, in paragraph seven, the minister completely withdrew his previous statement about 60 per cent of the NDDC projects being awarded to members of the 9th Assembly.
“It is also instructive for Nigerians to note that the total number of projects in the 2019 NDDC budget was 5959 out of which 5416 projects were rolled over from 2018, which the 9th Assembly obviously had no influence or control over,” he said.
Kalu said that Akpabio presented an ineffectual spreadsheet of only 266 projects out of which about 20 projects were attracted by past members of the National Assembly as constituency projects.
He said that the projects were given to the members as contractors, but in furtherance of their representative mandate for the constituency.
According to him, the projects presented in the Akpabio’s letter are not within the scope of the investigation and has do nothing to address the leadership’s ultimatum.
Kalu said that contrary to the mischievous narrative being peddled on the internet, the only mention of the Chairman of the NDDC Committee of the 9th House of Representatives, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo in that letter, was as to his alleged request for the complete payment of 19 contractors.
The legislator said that the contractors had had approached Tunji-Ojo with complaints over NDDC’s non-payment for their services.
He added that the allegation had been completely refuted by Tunji-Ojo and for which there is no evidence linking him.
The spokesman, however, said that the directive to press charges against the Akpabio has not been lifted by the House as the leadership was busy considering the weight of the minister’s letter.
“If it does not clear the doubt and wrong perception, it will be sent to the court for clearance as the speaker stated,” he added.(NAN)
July 29, 2020
BREAKING: Buhari won’t resign over NDDC,NSITF, EFCC probes – FG
The Federal Government has said President Muhammadu Buhari will not resign over alleged cases of corruption in Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund(NSITF) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
It described the call for the resignation of Buhari as infantile.
It also said the anti-graft war is not waning and the government will not spare anyone implicated in corrupt practices.
It said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others celebrating alleged cases of corruption in some Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs).
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed made the government’s positions known at a briefing in Abuja.
He said those thinking the anti-corruption war is dying are engaging in wishful thinking.
He said: “You are all aware, Nigerians have recently been inundated with allegations of monumental corruption in a number of government agencies, including the NDDC, NSITF and the anti-corruption agency,
EFCC.
” Many, especially naysayers, have misinterpreted these developments as a sign that the Administration’s fight against
corruption is waning.
“In fact, the main opposition PDP has latched on to the developments to call for the resignation of Mr. President, a call that is nothing but infantile!
“Let me state here and now that the fight against corruption, a cardinal programme of this Administration, is alive and well.
“President Muhammadu Buhari, the African Union’s Anti-Corruption Champion, who also has an impeccable reputation globally, remains the driver of the fight and no one, not the least the PDP under whose
watch Nigeria was looted dry, can taint his image or reverse the gains of the fight.
“Anyone who disagrees that the anti-corruption fight is alive and well is free to dare us.”
July 28, 2020
NDDC received N946.91b allocation in 18 years
THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) received a whopping N946.91 billion as budgetary allocation in 18 years, findings by The Nation has shown.
The sum is part of the N9.43 trillion allocated between 1999 to 2019.as 13 per cent derivation to the nine oil producing states and other agencies of the Federal Government involved developing oil producing communities.
Figures sourced from the Budget Office of the Federation and the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) at the weekend contain the figures.
Information garnered from the Budget Office showed that the NDDC allocation is subsumed in the Ministry of Niger Delta’s total allocation.
It is only in few instances that the commission’s allocations were separated.
For instance, the NDDC got a budgetary allocation of N61,94bn in 2014; N45.78bn in 2015 and N71. 2bn in 2018.
Other allocations that the commission got were buried in the main allocation of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and so the exact amount could not be readily determined.
But budgetary allocation to the NDDC, from 2004 to 2019 stands at N769bn with the highest allocations of N81.9bn in 2018 and ?100.19bn in 2019.
Monthly FAAC disbursements, NDDC though the oil mineral producing states benefitted from 13% derivation amounting to N8.66trillion.
Figures from the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) showed that without fail, the 13% derivation was paid to the governments of the states identified as oil mineral producing states.
Distribution from Foreign Excess Crude Savings Account for July, 2009 Augmentation; Distribution of $2billion from Foreign Excess Crude Savings Account; and Exchange Gain Difference were also paid out to the oil producing states among other pay outs.
The office of the Auditor-General of the Federation has queried over N70 million spent by the NDDC to accommodate persons at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja between 2008 and 2012.
In the extract review of responses to its audit query, the office also noted multiplicity of hotel bills and receipts, some of which the commission said were missing.
It also identified about N133.16 million spent as advances on community engagements and project inspection which were not properly accounted for.
The extract review reads in part: “In view of this, the then Acting Managing Director…. accordingly gave approval for the guests to be accommodated at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels, Abuja.
The rooms were reserved in the name of the Ag. Managing Director and her S.A. At the end of it, the hotel management issued us with receipts.
“We used the receipts as part of the documents in retiring the N70,000,000 (N50.000,000 and N20,000,000) that we collected for this purpose. The N10.000,000 that was left unspent at the end of the exercise was refunded.
July 27, 2020
BREAKING: Senate tells Buhari to sack NDDC, IMC
The Senate on Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over alleged financial recklessness.
The Senate also recommended that the NDDC should be returned to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) for proper supervision.
The agency which was formerly supervised by the SGF is now being oversighted by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, under Senator Godswill Akpabio, following recent directives by the presidency.
The upper chamber also called on the current IMC to refund the N4.923billion it paid to staff and contractors in breach of the procurement process and approvals.
The resolutions of the Senate followed its consideration and adoption of the recommendations of its “Ad hoc Committee on the investigation of the alleged financial recklessness in the NDDC.”
The Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North), presented the report.
Adetunmbi said: “In conclusion, the Committee noted that it is difficult to find a correlation between Niger Delta community development and cash invested in the zone.
“Continued cash injection in the Niger Delta challenge issue has not worked under the various IMCs.
“It may be useful at this juncture for the Government to intervene by stepping down the EIMC (Executive Interim Management Committee), thereby helping them leave the stage for a properly constituted board with specific mandate to address the pains of the Niger Delta people.”
The Committee said that the IMC should be made to refund extra budgetary expenditure of N4.923billion payment to staff and contractors in breach of the procurement process and approvals.
Monies to be refunded by the IMC include cost for overseas travel to the United Kingdom in the sum of N85.7million, Scholarships Grants – N105.5million, Union Members trip to Italy – N164.2million, Lassa Fever Kit – N1.96billon, Public Communication – N1.2billion and COVID-19 Relief -N1.49billon.
July 23, 2020
BREAKING: I didn’t say Lawmakers got 60 percent of NDDC contracts – Akpabio
The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied accusing members of the National Assembly of collecting 60 percent of the contracts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akpabio, in a letter read on the floor of the House during Plenary by the Speaker on Thursday said the only reference he made to 60 percent during his presentation before the NDDC committee on Monday was in response to a question by a member of the committee.
Read Also: BREAKING: Reps move to sue Akpabio for perjury
He said the member had sought to know whether a Medical Director can serve as an Executive Director Project, to which he responded by saying that since 50 to 60 percent of NDDC contracts were medical related, there was nothing wrong in a Medical Director serving in that capacity.
He also said that the Executive Director Project of the NDDC forwarded to him a list of 19 owed contracts which the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC insisted must be paid before the 2020 budget of the commission is passed.
He also said that the NDDC has jot executed any contract under the 2020 budget since it has not been passed, while the 2019 budget was passed in April and has not been implemented
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila however referred the letter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.
Details later…
July 23, 2020
BREAKING: Senate Seeks Dissolution of NDDC IMC

…Wants Oversight Of Forensic Transfered To AGF
By Williams Anuku Abuja
The upper chamber of the National Assembly has recommended for the dissolution of Interim Management Committee (IMC) of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The recommendation followed the consideration of the report of the Ad-hoc committee investigating the alleged financial recklessness in NDDC on the floor of the Senate on Thursday headed by Senator Adetunmbi Olubunmi Ayodeji (Ekiti North).
Recall that the interim management of the NDDC has been having a running battle with the lawmakers, where there has been accusations and counter-accusation.
While the National Assembly has accused the IMC of squandering about N81 billion in eight months, the IMC and the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio, accused the lawmakers of benefitting of more than 60 percents of contracts from NDDC.
In it recommendation, the Senate said that NDDC should be made to report to the President directly.
The upper chamber also recommended that the oversight of forensic of IMC should be transferred to the office of the Auditor General of the Federation.
July 23, 2020
BREAKING: Reps demands Names of NASS members who got NDDC contracts
The House of Representatives has asked Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to publish, within 48 hours, members of the 9th National Assembly who got sixty percent of contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Ruling on a matter of privileges brought by Minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the Minister, who alleged 60 percent of contracts from the NDDC were given to members of the National Assembly, should publish the benefiting lawmakers, especially members of the 9th Assembly.
He further said the names of their companies and the contracts they got should be published or face the wrath of the House.
Although he said his initial reaction was to have a good laugh when the Minister made the allegations, he realised it infringes on the integrity of the House.
He said the Minister owes it a duty to himself, the House Committee on Niger Delta, the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians to publish the names of lawmakers who got contracts from the NDDC.
July 21, 2020
N40bn probe: Gbajabimila empathises with ailing NDDC boss
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila has empathised with the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, following his collapse at the ongoing N40 billion probe.
Gbajabimila, who made a surprise appearance at the venue of the hearing on Monday in Abuja, also apologised for the poor ventilation in the hall.
The parliamentarian said that he had instructed doctors at the National Assembly to see to Pondei speedy recovery.
He said that documents submitted by the ailing acting managing director should be used to carry out further investigations.
The speaker, however, said that the investigation was about fact finding and that the facts must come out for the good of the Niger Delta people.
He wished Pondei, speedy recovery and empathised with members of his family and entire NDDC family.(NAN)
July 21, 2020