Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC), Prof Kenebradikumo Pondei has fainted.
He fainted during the ongoing probe of the Commission by the House Committee on NDDC.
Details shortly
Tag: NDDC
BREAKING: Reps Committee Chairman on NDDC, Tunji-Ojo steps aside
Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta, Bunmi Tunji-Ojo on Monday stepped aside from presiding over the affairs of the investigative Committee.
Tunji-Ojo said he was stepping aside from presiding over Monday’s hearing to allow fair hearing and to protect his integrity and prove to Nigerians that he was not on any revenge mission.
On the first day of the hearing, the Acting Managing Director of the NDDC walked out on the Committee saying he was not confident of getting justice if Tunji-Ojo presides over the hearing.
Addressing his colleagues and guests on Monday, the Ondo lawmaker said he read in the national dailies statements credited to the Acting Managing Director of NDDC that he was on a revenge mission.
Details shortly…
BREAKING: Security beef up over NDDC probe
There is intense security beef up at the venue of the ongoing investigative hearing into alleged financial malfeasance at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
An unusual presence of policemen and National Assembly security operatives were noticed at room 231, new building in the House of Representatives.
Guests already seated were asked to vacate the hall for proper security search.
The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Acting Managing Director of NDDC and a host of other stakeholders are expected to appear before the Committee.
It was however not immediately clear why the policemen were drafted to the venue.
But The Nation noticed guests were being subjected to serious screening while those who supposedly have no business inside the hall were sent out.Details shortly…
CSOs Demand NASS Committee Excuse Self From NDDC Probe
Following massive allegations and counter allegations with regards to contract scam rocking the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), no fewer than 10 civil society organisations have jointly demanded that an independent probe panel be set up for better outcome.
The group wants President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene In the NDDC Probe by forming a presidential panel amidst questions of morality and loss of confidence on the National Assembly committee by Interim Management Committee (IM•C) on NDDC and Nigerians.
In a joint press statement made available to newsmen on Monday, a group, the Civil Society Joint Action Against Corruption, which embodies the 10 civil society groups came together to ask for an unbiased inquiry into the probe of NDDC.
It will be recalled that the National Assembly had already initiated investigation on activities of NDDC.
The CSOs, however, said they are concerned that the National Assembly committee investigating NDDC is not in the best position to thoroughly carry out the task over allegation on its Chairman and loss of confidence by Nigerians.
“Most important to us in the Civil society Group are the accusations on the National Assembly and particularly the allegation on the Chairman House Committee on NDDC; Honourable Olubumi Tunji Ojo. The loss of confidence expressed by the IMC, NDDC, people of the Niger Delta and Nigerians.”
The group said “having watched the activities surrounding the probe by both the Senate Committee and House of Representatives Committees on Niger Delta majorly on allegations of financial impropriety and constant exchange of accusations and counter-accusations between the chairmen of the House Committees on NDDC Honourable Olubumi Ojo and the Interim Management Committee (IM•C) on NDDC, they (Senate and Rep committee) lack morality to probe the NDDC.”
They, however, opined that the standing committees of the National Assembly being an interested party in the case, haven been accused of corruption, lack of morality and public confidence will not do justice to the issues of financial improprieties and other related wrong doings in the NDDC.
The statement further read:
“We demand that National Assembly discontinue and excuse itself from the probe considering the claim that the probe panel is set up to witch-hunt suspected members of the public and that in no time has such activities or exercise yielded any good result except wastage of public funds and resources, it will be honourable for the House Committee on Niger Delta to stop this unpatriotic, insincere and self serving exercise.
“In the interest of the nation and to disabuse the fear, perceptions, doubt of the public on the on-going probe, we therefore call for immediate stoppage of the said probe by National Assembly and call for an Independent panel of enquiry to probe the activities of the immediate IMC of NDDC.
“This call become imperative so as to avoid another witch-hunt and matter where by it will end in controversy just like many probes initiated by National Assembly. it will save the country another round of controversy and get to the root of the investigations needed in NDDC for the sake of the Niger Delta people that has been deprived of needed amenities and resources.
“We want all issues surrounding the mismanaged of funds, non-payment of scholarships, contract scams and budget inflation to be treated holistically.
“We believe this can be done only by an Independent Presidential Probe Panel, where-in all will face the committee and report back to the President, and for relevant anti corruption agencies to act on. Allowing members of National Assembly to go ahead will not produce the needed result but rather lead to waste of time and resources and only ended up in media trial.
“We frown at any effort geared towards dragging the name of Senator Godswill Akpobio to the mud by anybody or group of persons. It is unfortunate that his resolve to restore the hope of the Niger Deltans through the NDDC is construed as misconduct.
“We make bold to reaffirm the confidence reposed on him by Mr. President Muhammadu Buhari and the entire people of Niger Delta,” the statement concluded
UPDATED- N40bn probe: Reps C’ttee summons Akpabio, NDDC MD, others
The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has summoned the Minister of Niger Delta Affair, Sen. Godswill Akpabio to respond to allegation of N81.5 billion irregular expenditure in the NDDC.
The committee also summoned the acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei and the Managing Director of AHR Global Service Ltd among others.
The resolution was reached at the ongoing investigative hearing on the alleged N40 billion irregular expenditure on Friday in Abuja.
The summoned was sequel to the refusal of the officials to honour invitation to appear and respond to allegations of wrong doing.
The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo (APC-Ondo) ruled that they should appear unfailing on Monday, July 20 to answer question.
Earlier, Mr Johnson Kolawole, the Head, Directorate of Research and Programmes, Act for Positive Transformation Initiative, NGO, accused that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the NDDC of gross abuse of budget implementation process.
He stated that the IMC had expended over N80 billion between January 2020 and May 2020 as against the N22 billion repeatedly portrayed by the IMC.
He said that the 2019 Appropriation Act as passed by the National Assembly provided for some emergency projects across the state in the region with an additional N800 million as emergency contingency sum.
According to him, the IMC has spent N20 billion on emergency road repairs; there are fraudulent cases of contract inflation and non-implementation.
“How would they explain the payment of N13.6 million for consultancy on the construction of ‘infant Jesus’? The said payment went into a zenith bank account number 1014119683.
“On May 19, 2020, the IMC paid a firm 39.375 Million Naira as consultancy fee for rebuttal. What a waste!
“The company had earlier received 34 Million naira into its Zenith Bank account number 1012613187 for ‘consultancy on reputation management for NDDC’.
“Same day, when businesses and countries were closing their doors, the same company, Clear Point Communication Ltd was paid N34 million for ‘Niger Delta Development Forum in Washington DC, USA’ and another N32.9 million for ‘Summit on NDDC and Investment Opportunities in Dorchester, London’, same day.
“There was no evidence of implementation of above contracts. Money paid went to private individuals; this ad hoc committee can call for the account statements of the firm to verify this.
“Same company received into same account a sum of 536 Million Naira for “campaign to save lives” in the Niger Delta on April 23, 2020.
“The payment was broken into 16 units to divert attention. Again, the money went into private pockets, some staffs of the commission were beneficiaries.
“May 22nd, another N641 million was paid to same company for media support for forensic audit as though forensic audit was meant to be a media affair,” he said.
Kolawale alleged that monies meant for students on scholarship abroad was being diverted into private account of the IMC.
Ms Joy Nunih, former acting Managing Director NDDC told the committee that only N8 billion of the said N81.5 billion spent between October 2019 to May 2020 was spend under her watch.
Nunih said that she was under pressure by Akpabio to abuse processes and to engage in financial recklessness.
She said that she prepared documents for the forensic audit mandated by President Muhammadu Buhari before she was forced out of office.
She revealed that the lead consultant procured to carry out the forensic audit did not follow due process as it breached constitutional requirements.
Nunih also said that no reputable auditing firm in Nigeria is among the nine sub-auditing firms already engaged to carry out the job.
She explained that none of the firms had carried out any forensic audit in the last four years as mandated by the Constitution.
Nunih recommended that the President and the National Assembly should ensure the procurement of forensic auditors should follow due process as otherwise could bring the process to disrepute.
She said that the forensic auditors should look into staff recruitment process and qualifications as professionals and experts in the commission are insufficient.
She urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate and arrest Akpabio for forcing her to take oath of secrecy.
In his ruling, Tunji-Ojo said that the committee had not indicted anybody and that all accused should appear for fair hearing.
He said that the committee is not out to witch-hunt but to bring out the facts and reposition the NDDC for better service delivery. (NAN)
Danger looms for A’Ibom riverine communities as NDDC abandons shoreline protection project
By Some Ogenyi, Uyo
The lives and properties of some Riverine communities in Akwa Ibom are no longer guaranteed as the multi Billion Naira shoreline protection project meant to forestall ocean encroachment in the Niger Delta have been abandoned.
The project awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC in 2012 has brought continued to cause untold hardship to the communities who have expressed concerns over a threat of wipeout.
Speaking with newsmen in Ibeno Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State yesterday, the Village Head of Iwuochang, one of the communities affected , Chief Daniel Afia said the project has been abandoned for eight years now.
Afia said the community has made several entreaties to both the contractor; Smith Engineering who had since abandoned his equipment at the site and the NDDC, but without any positive result.
The village head who alleged that no NDDC project has so far been completed in the area, cited several abandoned roads, including the road linking Ibeno with Eastern Obolo as some of the commission’s abandoned projects in the coastal area.
Also speaking, the Vice Youth President of Iwuochang Community, Mr Sam Willie said the inability of the contractor to complete the project has pushed many landlords around the coastal line out of their homes.
“You know they had to remove the old and worn-out embankment to replace the new one. But after removing it, they abandoned the project, leaving the community bare and at risk.
“It is always very threatening when the high tide comes, there is nothing to hold it. All the houses around here were occupied by their landlords but they have all been sacked because the encroachment is usually fast, hugh and unexpected”. Willie said.
He said he had on several occasions, on behalf of the community taken letters to the NDDC office in Port Harcourt and its Uyo office at Ewet Housing Estate, but without response.
The Chief Security Officer of the area, Mr Ebrewong Eshiet who also spoke with newsmen blame failures of NDDC projects in the region to poor supervision and contract award on political grounds.
He lamented that the community youths employed by Smith Engineering during the project were still being owed salaries, in addition to exposing the community to a possible wipeout due to the failed embankment/dredging project
BREAKING: NDDC Acting MD walks out on Reps
House of Representatives committee investigating alleged mismanagement of funds by the Niger Delta Development Commission, has issued warrant of arrest againt its acting managing director, Daniel Kemebradikumo Pondei, and members of the Interim Management Committee.
The Committee accused the Interim amangement of frustrating parliament’s efforts to restructure NDDC.
Earlier, NDDC management walked out of the investigative hearing, demanding that its chairman, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo must step down.
But members of the committee passed vote of confidence on its Chairman, saying the committee won’t succumb to cheap blackmail.
House of Reps begins hearing on alleged corruption in the NDDC
A two-day investigative hearing on alleged financial wrongdoing and other activities in the NDDC has opened in the House of Representatives.
In his welcome remarks, the chairman of the House Committee on NDDC, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, says the expanded interim management of the commission expended N81.5 billion between January and May 2020.
The lawmaker describes as untrue, insinuations that the parliament is not in support of government’s efforts to carry out a forensic audit of the commission.
He said the committee earmarked funds for forensic audits in the budget even when no request was made by the Commission.
On his part, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, says attempt to impune on the integrity of the Committee will continue to fail as he charges the panel to be above board in the discharge of its duties.
Those who ‘swallowed’ NDDC funds will be dealt with, says Akpabio
Embattled Minister for Niger Delta and former governor of Akwa Ibom state, Godswill Akapbio has threatened that anybody found to have misused funds allocated to the Niger Delta Development Commission must be dealt with.
Akpabio who is being questioned following allegations of fund-stealing and sexual harassment by the former acting Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Joy Nuniel told Vanguard Tuesday night that the era in which powerful and influential elements teamed up with staff at the NDDC to make away with cash meant for the development of the region was over and it was time to deploy whatever is available to work for the overall well being of the people of the troubled region.
“We want to see major roads and bridges connecting major towns and villages and centres of development emerging across the nine states of the Niger Delta so that people can breathe a new lease of life,” Akpabio said.
He said that those who doubted the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari have now realised it was real and already working leading to the return of cash and materials earlier looted away by powerful elements who believed they were untouchable.
“I am not satisfied with what is happening in the Niger Delta because the money that is coming to the NDDC is being hijacked by some people who do not want the money to provide any form of succour to the larger society. We need a change so that we can use available money to complete the East-West Road before December, do some specialist hospitals that can provide holistic health care for the people and create jobs for the people.
“I want to see a new NDDC with a good balance sheet because for 19 years we lost everything to powerful forces who used the NDDC money to buy limousines for themselves and families leaving the poor people to continue in their squalor.
“For this reason, the forensic audit will show who got what and who did what with the money they received and I can assure you that all those who swallowed NDDC money will cough it out no matter how powerful and connected they are. It has already led to the recovery of money and houses which were stolen before we came to the scene.
“The audit is meant to reposition the NDDC and not to witch-hunt anyone. I have not given out contracts except the appointment of the forensic experts and coved19 tests and equipment for the states. We assisted the governors financially to set up facilities for coved 19.
“We have blocked all loopholes and all money of NDDC is now in CBN and not scattered in banks at home and abroad as before,” Akpabio boasted.
Confusion as NDDC MD fails to reconcile figures in 2019 Budget
A Budget Defense before a joint committee of the National Assembly on Niger Delta Affairs ended abruptly, as the Managing Director of the NDDC, Kemebradi Kumo Pondei was unable to reconcile figures that was contained in its 2019 Budget performance Document .
While responding to questions from the House committee members on a disparity in its expenditure profile amounting to about N142 billion, the MD of the NDDC failed to give clear explanation for the huge difference.
The Committee requested that Mr PONDEI append his signature to the amended document if it must be adopted, but he refused to do so and pleaded for more time to return and reconcile the figures with his team.
The meeting later turned rowdy when some of the lawmakers openly disagreed with the Managing director’s request but their objection was overruled by both committee chairmen who insisted and adjourned the meeting indefinitely.
