Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has accused the Prof. Nelson
\nBraimbaifa led board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, of
\nsquandering N10billion from the agency in a bid\u00a0 to mobilize votes
\nagainst his second term election.<\/p>\n
Braimbaifa, a lackey of Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, and his
\nboard were recently sacked from the NDDC after a few months reign that
\nwas characterized with massive looting.<\/p>\n
Wike declared that the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC) has
\ncollapsed,\u00a0 losing its capacity to deliver development to the Niger
\nDelta.<\/p>\n
Speaking during a Courtesy Visit by the interim management committee of
\nNDDC to the Government House Port Harcourt on Wednesday,\u00a0 Governor Wike
\nsaid that the NDDC has degenerated into a cash cow for politicians<\/p>\n
“Those who fought for the establishment of NDDC will weep that the
\nCommission has deviated from its mandate.\u00a0 \u00a0NDDC has collapsed.\u00a0 NDDC
\nhas become a cash cow for politicians.<\/p>\n
“NDDC is now a political institution.\u00a0 NDDC stole our money.\u00a0 There was
\nan agreement for the Rivers State Government and NDDC to collaborate for
\nthe construction of the Mother and Child Hospital.\u00a0 NDDC refused to pay
\nher counterpart fund.\u00a0 Even the N800million paid by the Rivers State
\nGovernment,\u00a0 the NDDC only paid N400m to the contractor and diverted
\nN400million.<\/p>\n
“If they don’t pay our money, we will Institute a legal action against
\nNDDC to retrieve our money “, he said.<\/p>\n
He said the immediate past Board of the NDDC expended N10billion during
\nthe 2019 Election to stop him from getting a second term,\u00a0 but they
\nfailed.<\/p>\n
“After the former Board released N10billion to remove me from office and
\nthey failed, they came here for a Courtesy Visit.\u00a0 I asked them why they
\nrefused to partner with states for the development of the Niger Delta”,
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Governor Wike informed that it was Niger Delta Governors that demanded
\nthe forensic audit of the NDDC because of the massive rot at the
\ncommission.<\/p>\n
“Niger Delta Governors asked for the forensic audit of the NDDC when we
\nmet with the President.\u00a0 We also asked for the setting up of the Board
\nof Governors for NDDC.<\/p>\n
“I urge the interim committee to carry out a\u00a0 proper audit.\u00a0 You will
\nmeet obstacles,\u00a0 but be determined to do a thorough job”, he said.<\/p>\n
He urged the people of the Niger Delta to work in unity to develop\u00a0 the
\ngeo-political zone.<\/p>\n
On the leadership of NDDC,\u00a0 Governor Wike said that appointment of
\nofficials is strictly a function of the Executive Arm of Government. He
\nsaid no other arm of Government can determine who runs the NDDC.<\/p>\n
While congratulating the Acting Managing Director of NDDC and members of
\nthe interim committee,\u00a0 Governor Wike said he never be party to any plot
\nto remove a Rivers person from a position of responsibility.<\/p>\n
He said despite all the funds pumped into NDDC,\u00a0 the commission has
\naccumulated huge debts with no meaningful projects across the Niger
\nDelta.\u00a0 He regretted that the NDDC has also refused to patronise
\nreputable contractors for projects.<\/p>\n
Earlier,\u00a0 the Acting Managing Director of NDDC,\u00a0 Gbene Joi Nunieh said
\nthat the Commission is determined to partner with Niger Delta Governors
\nfor the development of the region.<\/p>\n
She urged the Rivers State Governor to forget the past failures of NDDC
\nand partner with the commission.<\/p>\n
The Acting Managing Director sought the assistance of the Governor in
\nthe areas of health and education.\u00a0 She said some cottage hospitals
\ncompleted by the NDDC,\u00a0 have been illegally occupied.<\/p>\n
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\u00a0…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":45017,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-70299","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-exclusive"],"yoast_head":"\n