The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, on Thursday absolved its
current management of corruption and reckless spending of funds
levelled against the commission by the presidency.
In his reaction, the spokesperson of the commission, Chijioke
Amu-Nnadi, denied the allegations, saying no such purchases were made
since the current Governing Board assumed office on November 4, 2016.
He, however, did not say anything on the roles of the NDDC’s past management.
“Indeed, it is a known fact that the Chairman, the distinguished
Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the Managing Director/CEO, Nsima
Ekere, and the two Executive Directors are still using their private
vehicles three months after assumption of duties,” Mr. Amu-Nnadi said
in a statement.
He said the NDDC, which is now planning to acquire operational
vehicles,including five Toyota Prado SUVs, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks,
four Toyota Landcruiser SUVs, one Toyota Coaster bus and two Toyota
Hiace buses, was adhering strictly to due process.
Mr. Amu-Nnadi said, pursuant to this, the commission had just received
the due process compliance certificate from the Bureau of Public
Procurement, BPP, and was preparing the mandatory memo for the
approval of the Executive Council of the Federation.
“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 four-Rs 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,” he said.
The NDDC spokesperson said the Commission was 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, 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,” he said.
It would be recalled that Earlier today the Chairman of the
Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, PACAC, Itse Sagay,
accused the Governing Board and management of the commission of being
reckless with funds meant for the development of the oil rich region.
Mr. Sagay, who spoke at the opening of a two-day national dialogue on
corruption in Abuja organised by PACAC in collaboration with the
Office of the Vice President, said the commission recently bought 70
exotic cars, including eight Lexus SUVs at N78 million each, and 10
Landcruiser SUVss each costing N63 million.
The chairman of the presidential committee said the vehicles were
acquired with funds meant for the provision of water, housing,
hospital, schools and infrastructure development in the Niger Delta.