The management of the Niger Delta Development
Commission said it has noticed a flurry of attacks in the media
against the commission in the past three weeks, adding that the
attacks bear the hallmark of a carefully choreographed campaign to
bring down the executive management of the commission, and impair its
ability to deliver on its mandate as an interventionist agency.
Charles Obi Odili, the Director of
Corporate Affairs of NDDC in a press statement Tuesday noted that the
campaign “started with petitions to the Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging financial impropriety when there
was none. It is instructive to note that officials of the crime
commission being persons with proven intellect and integrity, saw
through the pack of lies, and this exonerated the executive
management from any malfeasance. The discerning public also saw
through the monumental lie, as no person or entity in Nigeria can
withdraw N2.8 billion, in cash, across the counter.
“Next came allegations of the 'Squandering of
N750 billion by the executive management in four months '. Laughable
as allegation sounds, it has been repeated in several online
platforms. Thankfully, none of the mainstream media outlets has
caught on to this for the simple reason that the allegations defies
common sense. For a start, the entire budget of the commission in the
last two years is not up to that amount. Funds available to the
commission in the last two years, is no where near the amount. How
anyone can claim a commission can squander what it does not have
beats the imagination. Any one conversant with public sector rules,
and the strict financial regulations enforced by the administration
of President Muhammadu Buhari , will know that a government agency
cannot spend what amounts to more than twice it's two year's budget
in four months.
“The allegations against the commission flies
in the face of the excellent work the present executive management,
led by Prof Nelson Brambaifa has done to deliver on its core mandate
of developing the region. This executive management on assumption of
office drew up a strategy of intervention to kick start the economy
of the region and drive progressive development. As a result, it
decided to tackle the mountain of debt owed to contractors. As part
of that process, payment had commenced for those owed N20 million and
below. Dome of these date back to 2008. These debts, were not
incurred nor contracts awarded by the present management. Those who
have been paid did not need to engage with the commission before
being paid. This, in fact, is a sea change in contractual
responsibility on the part of the commission.
“The executive management had also cleared
all arrears of tuition and maintenance fees owed scholars of the
commission studying abroad. In the last four months, at least N2
billion have been remitted. The liability in respect of the scholars
dates back to 2018, before this executive management assumed office
on January 25, 2019.”
The
statement read further: “The commission has also prioritised key
projects for completion. One of such, is the N24 billion 29 kilometre
Ogbia Nembe road which is due for commissioning. This road creates a
land route to Nembe, and also opens up arable lands for economic
activity. The management has also embarked on the emergency repair of
roads. One of such roads, Reclamation Road in Port Harcourt had
revived the fortunes of the Nigerian Naval Shipyard, and dozens of
industries in the vicinity of the Port Harcourt Port.
“As
part of its strategy, the management has also focused on small
population segments who are often neglected. It has intervened in
women and youth empowerment as well as providing support for those
with disability.
Another
priority of this management is the completion of the head office
project, which it is pursuing with relentless vigour.
“The
executive management, made up of only technocrats, is working
assiduously to address the multifarious challenges of development of
the region. It is doing this in tha face of scarce resources. For the
purpose of clarity, the revenue inflow to the commission is an
average of N7 billion a month. Rather than become the victim of a
smear campaign, this management deserves acclaim. We are happy that
the ordinary people of the region (silent majority) who are
beneficiaries of the work of the present management in the past four
months have appreciated our efforts and given resounding approval.
“We
wish to plead with the political class not to see the commission as a
collateral target in the fight for power and influence. The NDDC is
an interventionist agency. We have a sacred duty to the people of the
region and sue for the latitude to deliver on our historic mandate.
The NDDC is working for the common good, for the corporate citizens
of the Niger Delta region.”
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