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Tag: Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

  • Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    Ndoma-Egba vows to change public perception of NDDC

    The Chairman of the Governing Board of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Sen. Victor Ndoma-Egba says steps are being taken to change the negative perception of the commission by the public.

    Ndoma-Egbe said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He regretted that the public image of the commission was not encouraging, adding that It would no longer be business as usual.

    According to him, members of the commission are being accused of collecting kick backs from contractors of the commission before paying them for contracts executed.

    “The story in the public is that the commission collects 10 to 15 per cent from contractors to get their payments for jobs executed.

    “This is absolutely wrong, if it is true, getting such payments from contractors would have become an industry by itself.

    “There is no reason why contractors who have met conditions for payment should not be paid without any gratification.

    “We are coming on board at a very challenging time.’’

    According to him, we must rebrand the commission and change the public perception of it as a slush fund, and this we must do through our honest work and single minded focus and discipline.Ndoma-Egba also pledged to reposition the board to enable it play its role effectively in the administration of the commission.

    He explained that the NDDC under his leadership would no longer serve as a place where things would be done without adhering strictly to set rules and order.

    “The bane of the commission seems to stem from the mentality of the leadership that once they are appointed, it is their turn to rip off the agency.

    “But the new Board and Management of the commission have understood where we are coming from and what the people expect from us and we have decided to depart from the ugly route of the past,’’ he said

    To this end, Ndoma-Egba said that on assumption of office, the management immediately swung into action by taking measures to put their house in order and change the way things were being done in the commission.

    He said this was done to show their seriousness and desire to stick to accountability and to ensure the much needed development.

    The chairman said the management assembled key members of staff and development partners for a retreat in February.

    This, he noted was part of efforts by the commission to reposition it for effective service delivery.

    “The three-day retreat, with the theme; “Collaboration for Sustainable Development”, held in Onne, Rivers State, and was attended by members of the Governing Board, directors, and strategic stakeholders from within and outside the region.

    “The retreat made it clear that the new Board and Management are solely dedicated to integrity, efficiency, transparency and accountability,” he stated.

    Speaking on abandoned projects in the region, Ndoma-Egba blamed the budget process for being “largely responsible for the spate of abandoned projects in the region.’’

    “The approach to projects has been ad hoc, arbitrary and self-serving, with very little end-user content. Many projects appear strange to beneficiary communities.

    “The projects are imposed on them and it creates crisis of ownership.

    “It will be apt to expect that with the combination of the chairman and the managing director in the saddle, a new era of rapid physical development driven by accountability will for once dominate the affairs of the commission.

    “Indeed, those who have taken time to look into the books of the commission are quick to point out that the amount of money received by the intervention agency since its establishment in 2000.“It is not commensurate with the quantity and quality of projects in the nine oil producing states of Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Imo, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers.

  • NDDC faults Sagay on allegation of wasting funds on vehicles

    NDDC faults Sagay on allegation of wasting funds on vehicles

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has faulted a legal icon, Prof. Itse Sagay, SAN, on allegation that the commission is wasting huge sums of money on vehicles.

    The Federal Government’s interventionist agency, Thursday in Port Harcourt, through its Head, Corporate Affairs, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, declared that no such purchase was made since assumption of office on November 4, 2016 of the current governing board.

    Sagay, who is also the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, claimed that NDDC bought over seventy cars that included eight super Lexus that cost N70 million each and ten Toyota Landcruiser jeeps at N65 million each.

    Amu-Nnadi said: “It is a known fact that the Chairman, the distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nsima Ekere, and the two Executive Directors (of NDDC) are still using their private vehicles, three months after assumption of duties.

    “The NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles and it is adhering strictly to due process. The vehicles include five Toyota Prado jeeps, ten Toyota Hilux trucks, four Toyota Land cruiser jeeps, one Toyota Coaster bus and two Toyota Hiace buses.

    “The commission (NDDC) has just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and it is preparing the mandatory memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    “We wish to restate that the current board and management of the NDDC are committed to making their 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.”

    Spokesman if the commission also disclosed that NDDC was partnering with the 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 incidents of mismanagement and corruption.

    Amu-Nnadi stated that NDDC was always ready to open its books for audit, while also remaining 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 head of corporate affairs maintained that the new NDDC was evolving as a responsible public institution, stressing that members of the public should feel free to get authentic information on its activities, to avoid sensationalism.

  • N1.19b NDDC projects duplicated, says NEITI

    N1.19b NDDC projects duplicated, says NEITI

    The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) has told the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Management Retreat that from its Fiscal Allocation and Statutory Disbursement Audit Report covering 2007-2011, the sum of N7.4 Billion allocated to member states of the Commission for grass root development projects in the respective states could not be accounted for while twenty two of such projects valued at N1. 19 Billion were duplicated.

    The watchdog organization said that it will partner with the commission to enthrone transparency and accountability in the operations of the agency.

    The Executive Secretary of NEITI, Waziri Adio gave the assessment in his presentation to the Retreat of the Commission held in Port Harcourt.

    Adio noted that the NDDC and NEITI were set up with similar mandates targeted at addressing the syndrome of resource curse, a situation where countries like Nigeria blessed with abundant natural resources find their larger population living in abject poverty as a result of over – dependence on the natural resource and mismanagement of revenues accruing from the resource.

    NEITI Monday’s statement that made this disclosure noted that the Executive Secretary, lamented that over the years public perception of NDDC was more of an agency with huge revenue resources but with little impact on the lives of the people of the Niger Delta.

    The Executive Secretary who was represented by NEITI’s Director, Communications, Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya Orji urged the new team at the NDDC to carry out a corruption risk assessment that will enable the agency develop a framework to strengthen its operations.

    The NEITI Reports presented to the Commission’s Retreat disclosed that a total of $1.98 Billion were remitted to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2007 and 2014.
    This was in addition to the sum of N594 billion paid to the Commission in local currency during the same period.

    The breakdown of the remittances shows that NDDC received N594 Billion from 2007 to 2011 while $559 Million was paid to the Commission in 2012.

    NEITI Report findings also show that in 2013, the NDDC received $563 Million while in 2014, the sum of $865 Million were remitted to the Commission.

    The NEITI Executive Secretary urged the new Board and Management of the NDDC to carry out an independent project implementation audit, commit to good corporate governance and the principles of the global extractive industries transparency initiative.

    The Managing Director of the NDDC, Mr. Nsima Ekere, welcomed the emerging partnership between NEITI and the NDDC and pledged to use the NEITI Reports as major tools to enthrone accountability and corporate governance.

    He gave the assurance that the NDDC under the new Board and management will fully embrace the principles of the global Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) to reverse the resource curse syndrome in the Niger Delta, through efficient resource utilization, corporate governance and project delivery.

    The NDDC Retreat was attended by members of the National Assembly, Ministers, the media, civil society and development partners.

  • Man murders NDDC’s girlfriend, buries her in shallow grave

    Man murders NDDC’s girlfriend, buries her in shallow grave

    Mr.  Sotonye Martin and two others, Innocent Oluche and Wachukwu Ugochukwu have been arraigned before Magistrate Z. O. Alikor of Rivers State Magistrate Court 2 for their involvement in the murder of Sophia Philips Horsfall.

    The victim, who was popularly known as Sophia, was a staff of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) before she was stabbed to death by his boyfriend on the 8th of November 2016 after the suspect discovered huge sum of money in her bank accounts.

    In a charge sheet with charge no. PMC/2304C/16, as prepared by the Directorate of State Security (DSS).

    Sotonye, a prime suspect is facing a three count charge for stabbing the victim (his girlfriend) to death with a jack knife and later buried her in a shallow grave.

    The two other suspects, Oluche and Wachukwu were charged for abetting in the murder of Sophia.

    Oluche confessed of being the one that dug the grave of the victim when his friend Sotonye promised to reward him with money while Wachukwu was arrested as a spiritual herbalist hired to cleanse the grave and tie the spirit of the victim.

    Both a reliable security source who pleaded anonymity and the eldest brother to the victim Mr. Honour Amatu Philips said the suspects who are now in detention have confessed to the crime.

    Philips who narrated how his late sister was murdered said she died after a serious pain and bleeding despite pleading with the suspect to take the money in her bank account and save her life.

    He noted the first suspect to be arrested was the herbalist who was hired by the prime suspect to cleanse the grave and tie the spirit of the victim before others were arrested

    Philips said: “When he killed my sister I was not around. He came to my house telling my younger brother that he knew he was going to be a prime suspect when I return. That he is waiting for me, on Thursday he called his friend Oluche and confessed to him that he killed his girlfriend.

    “He told his friend that he was being tormented by the ghost of my late sister. So he offered to reward Oluche if he assist him to bury my sister in a shallow grave. According him, he killed my sister on Tuesday night but she was buried on Thursday night.

    “Oluche was the first person to confess that he did not kill my sister but only assisted his friend to bury her. The herbalist, Wachukwu also confessed that he was hired to cleanse and padlock the grave as to stop the spirit from disturbing the prime suspect.

    “It was when the two suspects have confessed that Sotonye now opened up and said he killed my sister because she refused to give him the money he demanded. That all he wanted was money, despite his confession one of his police brother has been looking for a way to bail him out.”

    On how the relationship started between the victim and the prime suspect, Philips said, “ on July 19 she came to Onitsha  to see me in my house and told me about the suspect but I said to her, I don’t like the man, then I ask her to go  that I was going to investigate more about the young man.

    “When she told us she was going to marry the man the entire family disagreed with her but she refused our idea against her relationship with the suspect. It was a great opportunity for the suspect to enter her very well, because, at this time she was avoiding us and following the suspect around.

    “Before the incident, they paid my sister a huge amount of money in a contract she executed with the NDDC.  When he saw the money he pleaded with her to give him N1million and I heard my sister asking him what he was using all the money she was giving him to do.”

  • NDDC to delegate power to state offices – MD

    NDDC to delegate power to state offices – MD

    The Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Nsima Ekere, says the commission has concluded plans to delegate power to state offices to fast track development in the region.

    Ekere said in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja that a policy shift to devolve more operational powers to NDDC state offices was ongoing.

    Ekere made this disclosure when he paid a courtesy call on the Paramount Ruler of Eket, Edidem Etim Abia in   Akwa Ibom.

    He said it was necessary to implement the policy for effective operations and projects monitoring.

    “We want to have a situation where state offices do not need to run to Port Harcourt headquarters for everything they need, ‘’he said.

    Ekere who also congratulated the traditional ruler on his recent coronation said that his antecedents made him a suitable candidate for the throne.

    “Your contributions to Eket, Akwa Ibom and Nigeria mark you out as a leader of the people.

    “We are proud of your legacy and we will support you at NDDC,” he said.

    Responding, Abia commended Ekere on his appointment as the Managing Director of the NDDC, adding that the appointment was a deserved one.

    He, however, called for increased NDDC presence in Eket which he said was not impressive.

  • Monarch to NDDC: Execute projects on basis of oil quota

    Monarch to NDDC: Execute projects on basis of oil quota

    The paramount ruler of Eket local government area of Akwa Ibom, Edidem Etim Abia, has urged the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to use oil production quota as basis for projects execution.

    Abia stated this Monday in his palace in Eket when the Managing Director of NDDC, Obong Nsima Ekere, paid him a courtesy visit following his coronation on Friday.

    The monarch noted that NDDC had not done much in Akwa Ibom, which he noted was the highest producer oil among the Niger Delta states.

    He further noted that Eket local government had not felt much impact of NDDC and as such he requested that the Managing Director should consider Eket for projects next year.

    Abia said that before NDDC came into existence, much of the projects were handled by ExxonMobil and the company had relaxed before the compulsory contribution of oil companies to NDDC.

    The monarch said that his people deserved more development projects especially in the area of skill acquisition to equip themselves for sustainable living.

    His words: “Oil exploration has driven away fish from the shore, river and the sea. We are witnessing acid rain now because of gas flaring. The soil here is not fertile. We cannot have fruits here.

    “So we need viable skill acquisition centres not ad hoc arrangement, to train people in all manner of skills.”

    He advised the NDDC Managing Director to liaise with the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities (TROMPCOM) in the execution of projects in the region.

    Earlier, the NDDC Managing Director, Obong Nsima Ekere, congratulated the paramount ruler on his installation as the foremost traditional ruler in Eket local government area.

    With Ekere was the Managing Director, Oil and Gas Free Trade Zone (OGFTZ), Onne in Rivers, Mr Umana Umana.

    The NDDC boss described the enthronement of the monarch as well deserved, adding that he had known the royal father as a foremost industrialist.

    Ekere recalled that the monarch used to run a soft drink producing company, Dr Pepper Bottling Company, in the 80s.

    He pledged to work with the royal fathers to ensure even distribution of projects across all the Niger Delta states.

  • Niger Delta youths to Buhari: Probe NDDC

    Niger Delta youths to Buhari: Probe NDDC

    …Threaten to block East-west road and other Federal roads if…

    Niger Delta Youths under the aegis of Aggrieved Niger Delta Youths (ANDY) Thursday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to extend the ongoing fight against corruption campaign to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The group who described the commission as stinking said the probe, if initiated should be thorough for the interest of the region and the commission.

    In a press briefing yesterday which was organized by the group in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, the National leader, Prince Amatari Bipeledei said the best thing President Buhari could do for the region is to sanitize NDDC to realize the purpose for which it was created.

    Bipeledei who claimed that his group has already carried out a preliminary investigation on the commission said they are backing the decision of the Senate Committee on public account.

    He further claimed that the Senate committee on public account led by Sen. Andy Uba on Wednesday 26th October, 2016 directed NDDC within 7 days to submit all approved evidences of 1,691 contacts it’s awarded between 2014 -2016.

    The youths who are already in court with NDDC over diversion of fund meant for the empowerment of Niger Delta youths, threatened to block East-West road and other Federal roads in the region if Mr. President fail to probe the commission.

    He said: “On the 12th of August 2015, the Auditor General of the federation Mr. Samuel Akura submitted an audit report of 183.7b missing at NDDC from 2008 to 2016 and the breakdown of that report submitted to the national assembly includes 70.4b unaccounted  from the mobilization of various contractors that never reported to site.

    “5.8b paid to contractors for projects not executed or abandoned, 90.5b spent on extra budgetary expenditure without approval by legal authorities. 1.2b un-deducted taxes from contractors, 10.07b to be refunded as tax deduction made without remittance to FIRS.

    “While 3.1b was transferred to unauthorized account and unaccountable staff advances of 1.7b. And response from the then board led by Dan Abia was that no money was missing. Our demand is that President Buhari must help this region to sanitize the commission.”

  • NDDC board: Senate rejects nomination of two members

    NDDC board: Senate rejects nomination of two members

    …Faults arrest, detention of Judges

    The Senate on Tuesday rejected nominations of two Olatokunbo Ajasin (Ondo) and Hon Donatus Enyinna (Abia) as board members of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    Also, the Senate faulted the arrest, detention of Judges by the Department of Security Service (DSS) following adoption of a motion.

    Details shortly…

  • NDDC working on Bayelsa roads, not state govt – Semenitari

    NDDC working on Bayelsa roads, not state govt – Semenitari

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Saturday, said it was shocked at the attempts by the Bayelsa State Government to take credit for roads the commission was undertaking in different parts of he state.

    The Acting Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, NDDC, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said contrary to the claims of the state government, the commission commenced repairs and rehabilitation of 14 roads in the state including the capital, Yenagoa.

    Semenitari in a statement signed by her Special Adviser, Media and Communication, Bekee Anyalewechi, said she was reacting to claims by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Jonathan Obuebite.

    Obuebite reportedly said on a live radio programme in Yenagoa that the ongoing emergency repairs on roads in the state were the handiwork of the state government.

    But Semenitari flayed the claims and explained that the projects, which covered NDDC’s nine mandate states, were initiated and being executed by the commission.

    She wondered why instead of commending the interventionist agency for its bold step to bring a huge relief to the suffering people of the state, the government resorted in turning the truth head-down.

    “Such deliberate falsehood erodes public trust in authorities”, the NDDC boss said adding that the emergency work was designed to relieve the government of some infrastructural burden.

    Semenitari said the commission had expected that the Government of Bayelsa State would, in best practice, emulate its Cross River and Akwa Ibom states counterparts in commending the NDDC.

    “Or, where it lacked the courage to attribute credit to NDDC, would keep quiet than spreading misinformation”, she said.

    She expressed disbelief that the government, though knew the truth, chose to hide it from the public noting “that such style of governance erodes confidence in government and ridicules the tenets of probity”.

    She said: “NDDC saw gaps in road infrastructure across its nine mandate states and the urgent need to intervene and after a management meeting, decided to act as to procure relief to motorists and other road users.

    “So the option of emergency road repairs came handy as it would afford immediate remedial solutions, relieve states of financial burden and enhance inter and intra-city communications.

    “Under this intervention, hitherto impassable roads have become usable routes thereby boosting economic activity and improving livelihood of the people.”

    The commission listed the 14 roads in which it was working on in the state as the Oporuma-Sabageria-Polaku road in Opokuma local government; Odi-Trofani road; Otiotio Road, Yenagoa; DooGood Street, Yenagoa; Goodnews Street, Azikoro, Yenagoa; Shepherd Vine Road, also in Yenagoa.

    Others in Yenagoa are Capt. Ayeni Street; Saptex Road, Yenizue-Epie; INEC Road, Kpansia; Jasmine Suite Road, Kpansia; Erepa Road ; and NIIT Road, Dimrose-Green; Villa-Custom Link Roads 1 & 2, Biogbolo; and Tolda Road, Ekeki.

    “While we are not engaging the Bayelsa State Government in any verbal war, it is necessary to leave the public with the correct information because it is critical for good governance and sustainable development.”

  • Buhari seeks confirmation of Ndome-Egba, 18 others

    Buhari seeks confirmation of Ndome-Egba, 18 others

    ….Nominates Eko, Augie Supreme Court Justices

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari has forwarded the names of Justices Ejembi Eko and Amina A. Augie for confirmation as Justices of the Supreme Court.

    This is contained in a letter addressed to the Senate president, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki.

    The President said that the two nominees will represent North-central and North-west‎ respectively.

    The letter said, “In accordance with Section 231 subsection (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, I have the pleasure to forward for your confirmation, the nomination of the two nominees as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

    In another development, President Buhari also forwarded the name of a former Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and 18 others as chairman and members of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    President Buhari in the letter asked the Senate to give the request an expeditious consideration and confirmation of the NDDC board of directors’ nominees.

    Apart from Senator Egba who hails from Cross River state, others appointed are Nsima Udo Ekere who is to serve as managing director. He hails from Akwa Ibom state.

    Adjogbe Ajenakevwe is to serve as executive director in charge of projects and hails from Delta state. Mene Ienyie Derek, executive director is to head finance and ‎administration and hails from Rivers state.

    Other board members are Donatus Enyinnah (Abia state), Frank Samuel George (Akwa Ibom state); Brambaifa Nelson (Bayelsa state); Sylvester Effefiom Nsa (Cross River state); Ogaga Ifowodo (Delta state); Uwuilekhue Saturday (Edo state) and Osita Bonaventure Izunaso (Imo state).

    Olatokunbo Ayotunde Ajasin (Ondo state); Harry Iboroma Dabibi (Rivers state); Bernard Banfa (North-central zone); Yahaya Mohammed (North-east zone); Mustapha Dankadai (North-west ‎zone); Igo Weli (Niger Delta region); Mahmoud Isa-Dutse (Federal Ministry of Finance) and Abdul-Kazeem Kasumi Bayero (Federal Ministry of Environment) were also on the list.

    The consideration and subsequent confirmation of the nominees will be done when the Senate resumes from its 6-week break in September, 2016.

    The two letters were read by Senate President yesterday in plenary.