More revelations have come to light as to how former Minister of Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio connived with shady contractors to loot a whooping N200 million in one fell swoop from the coffers of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
One Scott Tommey and Emma Uduaghan Jnr are some of the contractors allegedly used by Akpabio to fleece the agency of billions through bogus contracts, according to an NDDC insider.
According to Pointblank, investigations revealed that Sen. Akpabio, under the guise of “emergency”, awarded a N200 million contract for the provision of solar powered lights to phoney contractors who were actually his cronies.
The project that never saw the light of day further adds to the long list of breaches committed by the former Minister, including arbitrary award of contracts under the guise of emergency, promotion of staff without following the due process and employing without due diligence.” Pointblanknews.com authoritatively reports.
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In a meeting with NDDC staff, the current Minister Of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Okon Umana revealed that some of the factors impeding the operation of the commission had been sufficiently addressed by the Federal Government.
Umana said “Nobody has the power for arbitrary award of contracts under the guise of emergency, promotion of staff without following the due process and employing without due diligence.
“We can’t tolerate the level of impunity where one man sits down to issue out a N200 million award letter under the guise of an emergency. What is the emergency in solar lights? All of such jobs must be terminated”
“The white paper shall guide the implementation of the forensic audit report.
“The achievements of NDDC state by state, sector by sector should be published and circulated to stakeholders”
The NDDC Acting Managing Director, Engr. Emmanuel Audu-Ohwavborua, speaking during the maiden visit of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, promised a departure from the past.
“I can attest that over the last 20 years I have worked here, I have seen that NDDC has one of the best staff in the world.”
“Under my watch, with the right synergy, we are shall move the commission from one determined to make a difference to the one that is making a difference”
“Staff training and Condition of service together with the flood victims should be holistically looked into promptly.”
“Under my watch, with the support of these staff, we shall make tremendous efforts to move the Commission from one determined to make a difference, to one that is making a difference. ”
“The capacity is here, we have the capacity to develop the Niger Delta if we work with the synergy to correct the narratives”, he said.
