The management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has denied
the allegations of procurement of over 70 luxury cars each costing tens of
millions of Naira, made by the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory
Committee Against Corruption, Professor Itse Sagay.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Head of Corporate Affairs at the
NDDC, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, the commission denied making such purchases
since its current governing board assumed office on November 4, 2016.
According to the statement, the NDDC Chairman, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba,
and the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, as well as the two Executive
Directors are still using their private vehicles three months after
assumption of duties.
The statement added that the agency is only now in the process of
acquiring work vehicles.
The NDDC said it is adhering strictly to due process which includes
seeking approval of the Federal Executive Council, expressing its
readiness to open its books for audit at any time.
The statement read: “The NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work
vehicles, and is adhering strictly to due process. These include five (5)
Toyota Prado jeeps, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks, four (4) Toyota Land Cruiser
jeeps, one (1) Toyota Coaster bus and two (2) Toyota Hiace buses.
“The Commission has just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate
from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and is preparing the mandatory
memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
Doing What Is Right
“We wish to restate that the current Board and Management of the NDDC is
committed to making its transactions transparent, by adhering strictly to
processes and procedures of government, as espoused in the Board’s 4-R
Initiative of restoring the Commission’s core mandate, restructuring the
balance sheet, reforming our processes and reaffirming a commitment to
doing what is right and proper at all times in facilitating the
sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“In this regard, the Commission is also partnering with Bureau for Public
Service Reforms (BPSR), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency
Initiative (NEITI) and Open Government Partnership (OGP) to improve the
Commission’s governance systems, procurement and project implementation
processes, in order to plug all loopholes and systematically eliminate all
incidences of mismanagement and corruption.
“NDDC is always ready to open its books for audit. We are also committed
to responding to all inquiries from well-meaning individuals and groups
seeking clarification on rumours and possible false information.
“While asking for support from all stakeholders to enable the Commission
succeed in the ambitious task of reforms, the New NDDC is evolving as a
responsible public institution and members of the public should feel free
to get authentic information on its activities to avoid sensationalism”.