Recent developments at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC and its fall outs following the call for forensic audit of the interventionist agency have been described as unfortunate in the region.
Some of the people who reacted to recent revelation by the Minister of the Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio are unanimous in their call for comprehensive audit of the commission so as to prevent future occurrence of alleged misappropriation of funds.
In his reaction, a local contractor, Mr. George Amadi, noted sadly that NDDC as a body has demonstrated that it is there to serve the interest of the rich. He criticized the leadership of the commission for failing to award what he called “little, little projects” to competent local contractors. He expressed disappointment over alleged award of 74 projects to a member of the National Assembly. He also criticized lack of consultation with communities who are in position to indicates projects that can serve their interest. He lamented the current conditions of the people of Emuah and Ogba Egbema who were often confronted by raging flood.
He appealed for total investigation into every allegation regarding award of failed contracts with a view to correcting similar anomaly in future.
In his own reaction, Comrade Akekure Lumati noted that awarding 74 contracts to an individual should be thoroughly investigated in response to a shocking revelation by the Minister of Niger Delta, Godswill Akpabio.
But a lawyer, who craved anon unity over the matter argued that the law does not support lawmakers to be part of contract execution. He said that with the report of the NASS committee submitted, the presidency should take necessary action. He accused politicians for being in the habit of using names of family members and cronies to front for contracts without due process. He also challenged the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to demonstrate genuine interest in developing the Niger Delta region and not allow the challenges facing the commission to slow the administration down in adequately developing the region.
It could be recalled that Senator Akpabio had appeared before the House Committee on Niger Delta and clained that about 60 per cent of the lawmakers collect contracts from the NDDC and had since provided few names currently generating public interest.
