Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has denied the allegations that the Commission paid over N20billion to ghost contractors, describing the allegations as fabricated lies.
This is as some youth groups in the region had claimed that the Commission paid N20billion to ghost contractors and called for the probe of monies that were never spent by the Commission in its 2021 budget.
Reacting, the NDDC said it did not pay any N20billion to any ghost contractor or any one as alleged by the group, while challenging the group to come out with proof or name the Companies of the said ghost contractors.
NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr Ibitoye Abosede, said the allegation was sponsored by persons who are positioning their relatives and associates for ultimate appointment into the Board of the NDDC.
Abosede urged all well-meaning Niger Deltans and the general public to disregard the allegations, describing the originators as self-seeking elements.
“The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been drawn to a spurious publication on some dailies and online news channels by some Ijaw Youth Group, alleging that the NDDC has paid the sum of N20 billion naira to ghost contractors by their spokesperson one Ebilade Ekerefe in Yanagoa, Bayelsa State.
“The NDDC, wants to state categorically that it did not pay any N20 billion naira to any ghost contractor or any one for that matter as alleged by the group.
“The public is hereby put on notice, that these spurious lies are being masterminded, fabricated and orchestrated by persons who are positioning their relatives and associates for ultimate appointment into the Board of the NDDC.
“These individuals, who are hell bent on using all manners of gimmicks to arm-twist the President into appointing their relatives, cronies or associates into the Commission’s board, feel that the only way they can achieve their selfish desire is by using false allegations and blackmail against the hardworking Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Interim Administrator in order to get the attention of Mr. President.
“The Commission for the umpteenth time states without mincing words that it never paid N20 billion naira to any ghost contractor and therefore challenges the fabricators of these malicious allegations to come out with proof or name the Companies of these “ghost contractor.”
“The NDDC under the Interim Administration and the supervision of the Hon, Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, will continue to be focused and prudent in the management of its resources for the benefit of the people of the region and will remain committed to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.”
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