The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NDDC

  • Ex-militants lied against Brambaifa, say stakeholders

    Some Niger Delta stakeholders have lampooned a group of ex-militants under the auspices of the Niger Delta Ex-agitators Leaders Forum (NDEL) for attacking the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa.

    The stakeholders, who defended Brambaifa under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Deltans for Justice and Development (CONDJUD), described as unfounded, fabricated and concocted the allegations leaders of NDEL relied upon to ask President Muhammadu Buhari not to confirm the appointment of Brambaifa 

    The Secretary-General, CONDJUD, Elder Christopher Abarowei, said it was not tenable for some disgruntled ex-militants to attack Braimbaifa and his office because of a water hyacinth project.

    “Their call on President Muhammadu Buhari to shelve plans to confirming Prof. Nelson Brambaifa as substantive Managing Director of the NDDC should, therefore, be disregarded”, he said.

    Abarowei said the anti-Brambaifa group consisted of a few selfish and myopic persons, who could not make the list of thousands of Niger Deltans from across Ondo, Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Imo and Abia states that benefitted from the last water Hyacinth projects  

    He said: “No genuine group in the Niger Delta including to the so-called self acclaimed leaders of Niger Delta Ex-agitators would claim ignorance of the fact that since his appointment as the acting MD of the commission, Brambaifa has coordinated well the activities of NDDC and done more in the area of youth empowerment and resolving several issues unattended to by his predecessors. 

    “Therefore’ the ex-militant leaders, if they are real should be thankful to the acting MD for being able to resolve issues surrounding the water hyacinth project neglected by previous administrations of the commission.

    “The faceless coordinator, his one-man group, and their sponsors strayed and showed selfishness when it said Brambaifa refused to pay for water hyacinth projects and to meet with them to discuss kilometer road jobs. 

    “The principle of youth empowerment is to stop restiveness in the Niger Delta and in line with the objective of the commission but not to serve few elements with selfish motives.

    “No amount of treat, intimidation or harassment by any group, we are sure, would move Brambaifa and his vision-conscious colleagues to yield to selfish demands as the acting MD will neither snub nor neglect any genuine group with genuine case for empowerment. 

    “We call on all well-meaning elders and leaders from the region to reach out and give the best of support to the acting MD and his hardworking team to achieve the objectives and purpose for which they are appointed.

    “Professor Brambaifa, a prudent manager of funds, unlike most public office holders do not play politics with development and enhancement of the condition of the people of the region. 

    “No Niger Deltan is more fit for the position of Managing Director of NDDC and Mr. President should therefore in the shortest possible time confirm the appointment of Prof Nelson Brambaifa in the interest of the development of the entire Niger Delta region”.

  • Witness: I got N769.5m from ex-NDDC chief for no contract

    A software developer, Eyo Bassey Francis, yesterday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received N769.5million from former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli, for no specific job done.

    Francis, the first prosecution witness in Omatsuli’s money laundering trial, said the huge sum was not for any particular contract.

    He said he came in contact with Omatsuli in 2014 and told him that  he ran an online platform, did a lot of imports and was able to source for foreign currencies.

    “He later called me on phone and told me that some money will be transferred to my account.

    “I got initial sum of N80 million transferred into the Heritage Bank account of one of my companies, Asiladrrin Global Consulting Ltd.

    “When the money was paid I converted it to dollars as directed by the first defendant (Omatsuli),” Francis said.

    The witness said N340 million was also paid into his firm’s account in two tranches of N160 million and N180 million on Omatsuli’s instruction.

    He said he also converted the money, which he said came from Starline Consultancy Services Ltd, into dollars and disbursed it as directed by Omatsuli.

    “Sometimes in January 2015, I also got a call from the first defendant telling me that I will be getting a payment from a company known as Building Associates.

    “I later got an inflow of N349, 650, 000 into the Heritage Bank account of my company, College-Pro Synergy Ltd.

    “I was furnished with an account of a firm, Greenhouse Investment, owned by the Special Assistant on Finance to the then NDDC’s MD to which I transferred N100 million.

    “The balance was converted to dollars as directed by Mr. Tuoyo,” the witness said.

    Read also: Brambaifa: I was the least qualified for NDDC job

    Asked by prosecuting counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho if he executed any contracts for the companies from which funds were transferred to him, he said: “I never had any contract with Starline Consultancy Services Ltd or business relationship with it.

    “I never had any contract with Building Associates.”

    Under cross-examination by Omatsuli’s lawyer Prof Amuda Kehinde (SAN), the witness said he did not transfer any money to the first defendant’s account.

    “I don’t have any documents on the instructions the first defendant gave me,” he said.

    Francis said he did not know what the money sent to his accounts was meant to be used for.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Omatsuli for allegedly receiving N3.6billion bribe from a contractor, Starline Consultancy Services.

    He was charged with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu on 45 counts.

    EFCC said Omatsuli  procured Momoh and Building Associates to utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy Services.

    It accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of  N3,645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification.”

    The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned until April 11 for continuation of trial.

  • I got N769.5m from ex-NDDC chief for no contract – Witness

    A software developer, Eyo Bassey Francis, Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos that he received N769.5million from former Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Executive Director of Projects, Mr Tuoyo Omatsuli, for no specific job done.

    Francis, the first prosecution witness in Omatsuli’s money laundering trial, said the huge sum was not for any particular contract.

    He said he came in contact with Omatsuli in 2014 and told him that ran an online platform, did a lot of imports and was able to source for foreign currencies.

    “He later called me on phone and told me that some money will be transferred to my account.

    “I got initial sum of N80 million transferred into the Heritage Bank account of one of my companies, Asiladrrin Global Consulting Ltd.

    “When the money was paid I converted it to dollars as directed by the first defendant (Omatsuli),” Francis said.

    The witness said N340 million was also paid into his firm’s account in two tranches of N160 million and N180 million on Omatsuli’s instruction.

    He said he also converted the money, which he said came from Starline Consultancy Services Ltd, into dollars and disbursed it as directed by Omatsuli.

    “Sometimes in January 2015, I also got a call from the first defendant telling me that I will be getting a payment from a company known as Building Associates.

    “I later got an inflow of N349, 650, 000 into the Heritage Bank account of my company, College-Pro Synergy Ltd.

    Read also: Goethe-Institut holds workshop for children’s books authors, illustrators

    “I was furnished with an account of a firm, Greenhouse Investment, owned by the Special Assistant on Finance to the then NDDC’s MD to which I transferred N100 million.

    “The balance was converted to dollars as directed by Mr. Tuoyo,” the witness said.

    Asked by prosecuting Counsel Mr Ekene Iheanacho if he executed any contracts for the companies from which funds were transferred to him, he said: “I never had any contract with Starline Consultancy Services Ltd or business relationship with it.

    “I never had any contract with Building Associates.”

    Under cross-examination by Omatsuli’s lawyer Prof Amuda Kehinde (SAN), the witness said he did not transfer any money to the first defendant’s account.

    “I don’t have any documents on the instructions the first defendant gave me,” he said.

    Francis said he did not know what the money sent to his accounts was meant to be used for.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Omatsuli for allegedly receiving N3.6billion bribe from a contractor, Starline Consultancy Services.

    He was charged with Don Parker Properties Limited, Francis Momoh and Building Associates Limited before Justice Saliu Saidu on 45 counts.

    EFCC said Omatsuli of procured Momoh and Building Associates to utilise a total sum of N3.6 billion paid by Starline Consultancy Services.

    It accused Omatsuli of conspiring with the others “to disguise the illegal origin of a total sum of N3, 645,000,000, being proceeds of an unlawful activity, to wit: corruption and gratification.”

    The alleged offence, which EFCC said was committed between August 2014 and September 2015, contravened Sections 15(1), 15(2), 15(3) and 18 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011, as amended by Act No 1 of 2012.

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned until April 11 for continuation of trial.

  • NDDC partners EU on sustainable water

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will partner the European Union (EU), through the Niger Delta Support Programme (NDSP) to resuscitate abandoned water infrastructure across the nine Niger Delta states, it was learnt yesterday.

    A statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili, said the Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, spoke when a delegation from the EU-funded NDSP3 pilot project visited him at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    He stressed the importance of institutionalising community-based management structure for the maintenance and sustainability of basic infrastructure in the Niger Delta.

    Brambaifa reiterated the need to develop a framework to ensure community ownership of water projects, and praised the delegation for partnering the NDDC to ensure sustainability of water projects in the Niger Delta.

    “We are looking forward to strengthening the collaboration with the EU, because water is life,” he said.

    Brambaifa noted that the ground water in the Niger Delta was polluted, such that even with the abundance of water in the area, there was hardly enough fit for drinking.

    He said: “We definitely need sustainable water projects because it is part of our mandate to bring potable water to the inhabitants of the Niger Delta. It is one thing to organise a project like this, but it is another to ensure its sustainability. You don’t just start a water project and two months later you come to see that it had been vandalised.

    “We are committed to this partnership to work out modalities to ensure that any water project stands the test of time. We must find ways to safeguard our projects because it is one of our core mandates to bring sustainable development to the people of the Niger Delta.”

    The NDDC chief urged the delegation to convince the international body to increase its financial commitment to the water project to help the region with safe drinking water that would address the challenges of water-borne diseases.

    NDSP team leader Albert Achten noted the need to expedite action on the pilot project because its life span would terminate in May.

    He, therefore, enjoined the partners to push for an effective and timely implementation of the EU and NDDC-NDSP3 pilot project.

    Achten remarked that in the last two years, a synergy had been developed between the EU-funded NDSP and the NDDC, saying the key part of the synergy was the pilot project to revive 45 abandoned water schemes in the nine Niger Delta States.

    He recalled that the collaboration took off officially in November 2018 at a two-day Strategic Retreat for the Board and Management of the NDDC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. And on February 2, the NDDC demonstrated its commitment to the project by writing to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning on the programme.

    According to him, the project is up and running, as two very important tasks had been completed. He, however, stressed that time was running out since the contract between the EU and the Ministry of Budget and National Planning would end in the next few months.

    “We solicit the continued support of the NDDC for the project, especially as it concerns the release of funds. The NDSP part of the project is financed by the EU, but the logistics for some of the activities are expected to be taken care of by the NDDC,” Achten added.

  • Monarchs seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers, under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), have urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,, who is the national secretary of TROMPCON, stated this.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro, while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast-tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

  • Monarchs seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers, under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), have urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State,, who is the national secretary of TROMPCON, stated this.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro, while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

    “The commission is committed to doing things differently and the money contributed to the NDDC fund must be used in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner, and it starts from the budgetary process,” he said.

    Ogbaro said the new management has demonstrated good intention that they owed it to Nigerians, the people of the Niger Delta, stakeholders of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government to ensure true regional development, adding that the new spirit is a necessary foundation for progress.

  • Warri Federal Seat: Ereyitomi promises to tackle poverty, others

    Winner of the Warri federal constituency seat in the just concluded National Assembly elections, Chief Thomas Ereyitomi says he is out to tackle poverty and communal conflicts across the area.

    The director-general of Chief Thomas Ereyitomi Constituency Office, Chief Robinson Ariyo, disclosed this during a press briefing on Friday, in Warri.

    Unveiling its cardinal plans for the next four years, which include economic development, capacity building, peace building and research and advocacy, the DG pointed out they are in tandem with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as well as the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) master plan.

    He explained the high poverty rate, conflicts in communities among others, informed the four themes.

    Noting that the office may not be able to succeed in everything it hopes to deliver, the Ariyo stated that each intervention that is embarked on will be done in a way that it will be sustainable.

    Lamenting that economy of Warri has suffered for too long, he said: “It is one thing to promise, it is another thing to deliver on the promise.

    “Our people have been left behind for far too long. We need to take our proper place in the committee of oil producing communities.

    “If the society, Warri Federal Constituency is better today, it will be better for all of us. It is on record that Nigeria is at the top of poverty rating in the world.

    “In the area of peace building, most of our communities are polarized. But there is no conflict that is unresolvable. We want to make a deliberate effort to ensure that our communities live in peace.”

    Expressing gratitude to the people for their support throughout the elections, Chief Ariyo urged aggrieved individuals “to sheathe” swords and pursue development of the land.

  • Traditional rulers seek autonomy for NDDC

    Traditional rulers under the aegis of the National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) has urged the Federal Government to allow the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to be independent and operate within the ambit of the Act establishing it.

    Oba Obafemi Ogbaro, the Odoka of Ogbaro kingdom in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo State, and National Secretary of TROMPCON, stated this while speaking with reporters.

    He felicitated with the new management of NDDC on the appointment of its new Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa; the new acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, Mr Chris Amadi, and Mr. Adjogbe Samuel, acting Executive Director of Projects.

    Ogbaro while reaffirming the association’s support for the new board, challenged it to reposition the commission by ensuring proper monitoring and completion of all projects in the region.

    “We also appeal to the new board to ensure prompt payment to contractors who borrowed money to complete their projects.  The bottlenecks in mode of payment should be a thing of the past and stakeholders particularly the traditional rulers of the mandate areas, should be carried along,” he said.

    The TROMPCON scribe also lauded the transparent and commitment of the current board and management of NDDC, declaring the association’s support in partnering with the commission towards developing the Niger Delta region.

    Ogbaro said the association was impressed with the strategies adopted by the Commission’s Board. “There is a different spirit here that has increased the tempo of activities geared towards fast tracking regional development. We are excited by the practical approach of the new board and management and we are ready to cooperate with NDDC to do more for the people.

    “The commission is committed to doing things differently and the money contributed to the NDDC fund must be used in a responsible, transparent and efficient manner, and it starts from the budgetary process,” he said.

    Ogbaro said the new management has demonstrated good intention that they owed it to Nigerians, the people of the Niger Delta, stakeholders of the Niger Delta and the Federal Government to ensure true regional development, adding that the new spirit is a necessary foundation for progress.

  • NDDC boss commends INEC, urges more development

    The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting peaceful elections in his community, Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, despite reports of disturbances across the country.

    Prof. Brambaifa said through statement signed his Special Assistant on Media, Ayebakuro Igbeta, that his he was particularly happy that he performed his civic duties, alongside his wife, Dr. Anna Brambaifa, at their Town Hall Polling Unit 2, Agbere.

    According to him, “I was particularly encouraged by the large turnout of voters, stating that the “people showed that they are politically conscious and are determined to play a role towards the development of the area and fostering regional peace and security.”

    Furthermore, He said: “My mandate at the NDDC is to facilitate the development of our people in the Niger Delta Region, to improve their living conditions, to bring peace and security to the Niger Delta, following the example laid down by the Federal Government and these I and the executive management are determined to do.”

    Prof. Brambaifa called on all Niger Deltans to eschew political differences and contribute to making the region a better place, stating that the poor state of affairs in the Niger Delta seemed to always make youths restless in the communities.

    Read Also: NDDC chief: Buhari loves Niger Delta

    “Our communities according to him, are in dire need of our intervention”, “So our urgent commitment is to work together, as leaders of the region and our people, to change their fortunes, improve their lives and fulfil their dreams of a better region.

    He said that the elections had come and gone and “we must return to our duty to work for the benefit of our people.

  • TROMPCON advises NDDC board

    The National Executive Council of Traditional Rulers of Oil Minerals Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON) has urged the new Board members of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to reposition the commission to enviable heights.

    The traditional rulers said the essence of establishing the agency was for development of the Niger Delta and must achieve its set goals.

    A statement by its National Secretary, Dr. Obafemi Ogbaro hailed the new Board members led by its Acting Managing Director, Prof. Nelson Brambaifa.

    It urged the presidency to allow NDDC operate with an act that established the commission.

    The statement noted that TROMPCON as member of NDDC partner for sustainable peace committee and projects monitoring team would appreciate the immediate completion of all abandoned projects across the region.

    It also appealed to the new board against discriminating payment to contractors, who borrowed huge amount of money to complete jobs, but still undergoing unnecessary bureaucratic bottleneck.

    The council charged the new NDDC Board to give utmost respect to its stakeholders especially the traditional rulers of the mandate area.

    It reaffirmed its support for the new board members in the task of developing the Niger Delta region.