Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has accused the Prof. Nelson
Braimbaifa led board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, of
squandering N10billion from the agency in a bid to mobilize votes
against his second term election.
Braimbaifa, a lackey of Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and his
board were recently sacked from the NDDC after a few months reign that
was characterized with massive looting.
Wike declared that the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) has
collapsed, losing its capacity to deliver development to the Niger
Delta.
Speaking during a Courtesy Visit by the interim management committee of
NDDC to the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Governor Wike
said that the NDDC has degenerated into a cash cow for politicians
“Those who fought for the establishment of NDDC will weep that the
Commission has deviated from its mandate. NDDC has collapsed. NDDC
has become a cash cow for politicians.
“NDDC is now a political institution. NDDC stole our money. There was
an agreement for the Rivers State Government and NDDC to collaborate for
the construction of the Mother and Child Hospital. NDDC refused to pay
her counterpart fund. Even the N800million paid by the Rivers State
Government, the NDDC only paid N400m to the contractor and diverted
N400million.
“If they don’t pay our money, we will Institute a legal action against
NDDC to retrieve our money “, he said.
He said the immediate past Board of the NDDC expended N10billion during
the 2019 Election to stop him from getting a second term, but they
failed.
“After the former Board released N10billion to remove me from office and
they failed, they came here for a Courtesy Visit. I asked them why they
refused to partner with states for the development of the Niger Delta”,
he said.
Governor Wike informed that it was Niger Delta Governors that demanded
the forensic audit of the NDDC because of the massive rot at the
commission.
“Niger Delta Governors asked for the forensic audit of the NDDC when we
met with the President. We also asked for the setting up of the Board
of Governors for NDDC.
“I urge the interim committee to carry out a proper audit. You will
meet obstacles, but be determined to do a thorough job”, he said.
He urged the people of the Niger Delta to work in unity to develop the
geo-political zone.
On the leadership of NDDC, Governor Wike said that appointment of
officials is strictly a function of the Executive Arm of Government. He
said no other arm of Government can determine who runs the NDDC.
While congratulating the Acting Managing Director of NDDC and members of
the interim committee, Governor Wike said he never be party to any plot
to remove a Rivers person from a position of responsibility.
He said despite all the funds pumped into NDDC, the commission has
accumulated huge debts with no meaningful projects across the Niger
Delta. He regretted that the NDDC has also refused to patronise
reputable contractors for projects.
Earlier, the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, Gbene Joi Nunieh said
that the Commission is determined to partner with Niger Delta Governors
for the development of the region.
She urged the Rivers State Governor to forget the past failures of NDDC
and partner with the commission.
The Acting Managing Director sought the assistance of the Governor in
the areas of health and education. She said some cottage hospitals
completed by the NDDC, have been illegally occupied.