The Crest

Tag: NDDC

  • Ijaw Youths Give 7-day Ultimatum To Oil Companies to Vacate Niger Delta

    Ijaw Youths Give 7-day Ultimatum To Oil Companies to Vacate Niger Delta

    The Ijaw Youth Council has given the international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta seven days to vacate the region.

    The ultimatum is coming after the youth council asked the federal government to inaugurate substantive board for the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    The commission had been managed by an interim management committee but currently has a sole administrator.

    Speaking with journalists, Peter Igbifa, IYC president, asked the oil companies to shut down operations willingly.

    “We are not going to carry gun and chase anybody as Ijaw youths but we will stand on our right until our demand for substantive board is inaugurated in the NDDC,” he said.

    “In line with the ultimatum as the days are counting, we should have nine days remaining to go. All IOCs operating in our region should begin a peaceful and gentle evacuation of their personnel. It should be a very gentle and peaceful evacuation because we do not want anybody to take advantage of the shutdown.

    “We want them to take responsibility of their personnel, remove them gently. If you have IOCs that operate flow stations, take the remaining days and time and shutdown them down gently by yourself.

    “We are not coming to your flow station, shut them by yourself, we want you to shut the flames by yourself and vacate your personnel.

    “Within these days remaining in the ultimatum, you can take three to four days to shut down and evacuate.”

  • NPA, NDDC Lootings: Sack Amaechi, Usman Now, PDP Tells Buhari

    NPA, NDDC Lootings: Sack Amaechi, Usman Now, PDP Tells Buhari

    The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to sack Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and the suspended Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman over the alleged looting of over N165 billion in the agency while also demanding immediate investigation and prosecution.

    In a statement on Monday by the spokesman for the PDP, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party deplored what it described as the foul stench of corruption oozing out of the NPA, NDDC and other agencies of government in the last six years.

    The PDP said recent revelation of sleaze in the two agencies has shown the MDAs have become the cash cows and Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) of greedy leaders in the present administration.

    The party asserted the fact that it took the Minister five years (2016 to 2021) to query the NPA Managing Director over the alleged looting of N165 billion unremitted operating surplus of the agency, has raised public belief that he (Amaechi) only acted apparently to shied himself after indicting audit documents had already been exposed.

    The PDP said: “This is in addition to reports from the office of Auditor General which also unearthed the looting of unremitted deduction to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) amounting to N3,667,750,470. $148,845,745.04, Euro 4,891,449.50 and £252,682.14 under the suspended NPA Managing Director and Amaechi’s ministerial supervision.

    “The audit report also exposed another N15.18 billion allegedly siphoned through shady Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects by the NPA, an agency under Amaechi’s ministerial purview.

    “The PDP therefore rejects the obvious attempt at a cover-up in the recourse to an Administrative Panel of Enquiry recommended by the Transport Minister to investigate the NPA fraud, in which he also has some questions to answer.

    “Our party insists that both the Minister and the indicted NPA Managing Director should be handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for investigation and possible prosecution.”

  • We Reformed NDDC For Greater Service Delivery- Buhari

    We Reformed NDDC For Greater Service Delivery- Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said that his administration reformed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for greater service delivery.

    He stated this on Thursday when he commissioned the headquarters building of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 25 years after the groundbreaking ceremony.

    He commended the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for steadfastness in ending many years of renting by the commission, and the attendant profligacy.

    The President, who virtually commissioned the building from the Council Chamber of the State House, said the land was acquired by the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1996, and was abandoned after series of design amendments.

    “In 2015, as part of our Administration’s cardinal objectives to kill corruption, some critical reforms were embarked upon, part of which was a holistic reform of the NDDC for greater service delivery for the people of the region.

    “To achieve this, I reassigned the supervision of the NDDC to the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for administrative efficiency. Second, was the appointment of Forensic Auditors to review the operations of the Commission from inception to 2019 and to ensure that the appropriations made to the NDDC are commensurate with what is on the ground,’’ he said.

    While commending the minister for ensuring the historic completion of the building, President Buhari urged the management to commit the amounts used for renting to more rewarding benefits.

    “I, therefore, use this opportunity to commend the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for providing the required leadership that saw to the completion of this edifice.

    “Today, we are handing over to the people of Niger Delta, a befitting Head Office Complex for present and future use. Consequently, huge yearly rentals would now be saved and deployed to other areas of needs in the region.

    “I commend the management and staff of the NDDC for staying the course and keying into the Reform Agenda of our Administration. I am particularly pleased to note the cordial relationship between the NDDC and the National Assembly and hope that this relationship will be strengthened further for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region,’’ the President added.

    The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the President for the completion of the building, promising that the nine governors under the NDDC would continue to support his bold steps in development.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs noted that the completion of the NDDC building signals the President’s commitment to the development of the oil-producing region, and ending of activities of corrupt public officials, who also negated the connection of the offices to the national grid over many years in order to seek rent on fueling of generators.

    “You will be remembered by this gesture, and generations will never forget you,’’ the minister said.

    Sen. Akpabio urged leaders, traditional rulers, and youths in the region to support President Buhari’s administration so that it would complete most of the abandoned projects by previous administrations, which include the Second Niger Bridge, warning that the persistent fights and petitions among leaders must be shelved for development.

  • Buhari Commissions NDDC Building 25 Years After

    Buhari Commissions NDDC Building 25 Years After

    President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday commissioned the headquarters building of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), 25 years after the groundbreaking ceremony, commending the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, for steadfastness in ending many years of renting by the commission, and the attendant profligacy.

    The President, who virtually commissioned the building from the Council Chamber of the State House, said the land was acquired by the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC) in 1996, and was abandoned after series of design amendments.

    “In 2015, as part of our Administration’s cardinal objectives to kill corruption, some critical reforms were embarked upon, part of which was a holistic reform of the NDDC for greater service delivery for the people of the region.

    “To achieve this, I reassigned the supervision of the NDDC to the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for administrative efficiency. Second, was the appointment of Forensic Auditors to review the operations of the Commission from inception to 2019 and to ensure that the appropriations made to the NDDC are commensurate with what is on the ground,’’ he said.

    While commending the minister for ensuring the historic completion of the building, President Buhari urged the management to commit the amounts used for renting to more rewarding benefits.

    “I, therefore, use this opportunity to commend the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, for providing the required leadership that saw to the completion of this edifice.

    “Today, we are handing over to the people of Niger Delta, a befitting Head Office Complex for present and future use. Consequently, huge yearly rentals would now be saved and deployed to other areas of needs in the region.

    “I commend the management and staff of the NDDC for staying the course and keying into the Reform Agenda of our Administration. I am particularly pleased to note the cordial relationship between the NDDC and the National Assembly and hope that this relationship will be strengthened further for the benefit of the people of the Niger Delta region,’’ the President added.

    The Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, thanked the President for the completion of the building, promising that the nine governors under the NDDC would continue to support his bold steps in development.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs noted that the completion of the NDDC building signals the President’s commitment to the development of the oil producing region, and ending of activities of corrupt public officials, who also negated the connection of the offices to national grid over many years in order to seek rent on fueling of generators.

    “You will be remembered by this gesture, and generations will never forget you,’’ the minister said.

    Sen. Akpabio urged leaders, traditional rulers and youths in the region to support President Buhari’s administration so that it would complete most of the abandoned projects by previous administrations, which include the Second Niger Bridge, warning that the persistent fights and petitions among leaders must be shelved for development

  • NDDC To Train Unemployed Youths At Innoson Motors

    NDDC To Train Unemployed Youths At Innoson Motors

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says all is now set for the training of indigent Niger Delta youths on technical skills at Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ibitoye Abosede, and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Port Harcourt.

    Abosede quoted the NDDC’s Interim Administrator, Efiong Akwa, as stating this after inspecting facilities at Innoson’s factory in Nnewi, Anambra.

    Akwa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Youths, Mr Udengs Eradiri, said that the training would commence at Innoson Kiara Academy, a technical and vocational institution, affiliated to Innoson.

    ”The youth will be trained in fabrication, assembly, painting and corrosion control, among others.

    ”We thought that due to the growing economy of the Niger Delta, it is important to begin to grow our own skills to be better and able to manage our economy.

    ”Though NDDC is already in partnership with Innoson on training of youths in different aspects of automobile maintenance, this visit is to firm up the partnership,” he said.

    Akwa said that the commission decided to train the youth, with focus on setting up a vehicle manufacturing plant in the Niger Delta in the near future.

    He stated that the Presidential Amnesty Programme had trained several youths from the region in the facility, with good results.

    ”So, we are aware that the training facility teaches skills, altitude and entrepreneurship.

    ”We know that if the youth learn one skill or the other, they should be able to translate it into financial gains,” he said.

    Also speaking, Innoson’s Kiara Academy Chief Executive Officer, Mr Endi Ezengwa, thanked the commission for considering the facilities at Innoson motors for the training.

    According to him, the region is blessed with so much talent that needed to be harnessed and channelled into constructive use, for the industrialisation of the Niger Delta zone.

    ”Innoson Group will, in due course, set up workshops in the Niger Delta zone, in collaboration with organisations like NDDC,” he assured.

    • NAN
  • Alleged Misappropriation of N40bn: Court Grants Kayode Ajulo Leave To Sue NDDC

    Alleged Misappropriation of N40bn: Court Grants Kayode Ajulo Leave To Sue NDDC

    A Federal High Court in Abuja, Hon. Justice A.I Chikere, on Thursday, November 5, 2020, granted leave to constitutional lawyer and right activist, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, to file an originating summons against the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC,  for failure to grant his requests pursuant to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI).
    Among others, the requests include the publication of the budgetary appropriations made by the National Assembly to the Niger Delta Development Commission, from 2010 to 2020, and the names and designation of members of the National Assembly who have been awarded contracts by the NDDC or who have otherwise benefitted in any manner howsoever from the budgetary funds of the Commission from 2010 to 2020.
    Also joined as respondents in the motion filed on October 16, 2020, are the Managing Director, NDDC, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly.
    Dr. Kayode Ajulo
    Dr. Kayode Ajulo
    It is interesting to recall that sometime in July 2020, the Nigerian House of Representatives commenced a probe into the financial affairs of NDDC particularly the alleged mismanagement, within a period of 3 months, of the sum of ₦40,000,000,000.00  (Forty Billion Naira) by the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC.
    In what appeared as a shocking revelation, the Acting Deputy Director on Projects told the House of Representatives Committee that the budget of the NDDC is usually hijacked by members of the National Assembly, hence the institution of the suit by Dr. Olukayode Ajulo for the unveiling of how tax payers’ monies are spent by people in the corridors of power.
    Moving the motion exparte, a lawyer in the law firm of Messrs. Kayode Ajulo & Co. Castle of Law, Ifunanya Okeke Esq, who led Eme Jackson Esq. and Glory Uhunmwangho Esq. noted that Dr. Olukayode Ajulo had written to the NDDC requesting same to fulfill its statutory obligations under the FOI Act and to comply with the provisions of Section 2(3), (4) and (5), Section 29(1) and (2) and Section 13 of the Act.
    She further noted that since NDDC received and acknowledged receipt of the letters dated 2nd September, 2020 and 29th September, 2020, respectively which were also copied to the Attorney General of the Federation and The National Assembly, it has refused to comply with the requests contained in the letters.
    Justice A. I Chikere accordingly granted Dr. Olukayode Ajulo leave to apply for judicial review of the actions of NDDC and its officials under the FOI Act and claim the reliefs he is seeking.
    The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to Thursday, November 19, 2020.
  • NDDC Forensic Audit is Not Witchhunt— Pondei

    NDDC Forensic Audit is Not Witchhunt— Pondei

    Prof. Kemebradikumor Pondei, the acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has said that the ongoing forensic audit of the commission is not meant to witch-hunt any individual or group.

    Pondei said this in Port Harcourt on Thursday, while handing over additional tools, including 10 Hilux vehicles and five buses, to the 16 firms auditing the commission’s finances.

    He said the commission decided to present the additional working tools to the auditors to facilitate their work.

    “The forensic audit was set up by President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the activities of NDDC from inception, 20 years ago, to August 2019.

    “So, it is on that note that lead forensic consultants were appointed and 16 field forensic auditors procured to handle the process.

    “So, we are here to hand over more tools to the auditors to assist them in the ongoing forensic audit of the commission.

    “The audit will unravel a lot of things in the commission and it is not a witch-hunting process but just to know the state of things in NDDC,” Pondei said.

    He further said that the process was initiated to recommend ways to enable the commission to achieve its core mandate of developing the Niger Delta region.

    The Lead Consultant for the audit team, Joshua Bashiru, said the audit was in fulfillment of the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that 16 firms were involved in the probing of finances, contracts and projects executed by NDDC since 2000.

    Also, Alhaji Kabiru Ahmed gave assurance that the firms would carry out a transparent audit to expose the commission’s dealings since inception.

    “So, we are here to introduce the forensic audit team and update NDDC management about where we are and what is required to be done.

    “We will on Nov. 13 meet with NDDC state directors and departmental directors to enable the auditors to understand how the state works,” he said.

    • NAN
  • Nigeria Records 155 Fresh Cases Of COVID-19, Total Now 63,328

    Nigeria Records 155 Fresh Cases Of COVID-19, Total Now 63,328

    The Director-General of the NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, who spoke on Wednesday in Abuja while giving an update on COVID-19 infections in Nigeria, said four deaths had been recorded in the past 24 hours.

    He disclosed that the 155 new cases were recorded in eight states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Giving the breakdown, he said that Lagos State reported the highest number of infections with 85, while the FCT had 23, Ondo State had 18 and Ogun reported eight.

    According to the NCDC boss, Kaduna, Oyo and Taraba recorded five each, Kano State, three; Rivers, two and Bauchi State had one.

    “Till date, 63,328 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed, 59,675 patients have been discharged and 1,155 deaths have been recorded in the 36 states and the FCT,” Ihekweazu said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN} reports that the country has tested 668,729 people since the first confirmed case was reported on February 27, 2020.

    The NCDC boss said that his agency had activated a multi-sectoral national Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) at Level III to coordinate the national response.

    Meanwhile,  Ihekweazu has advised the management of schools to provide adequate COVID-19 protective equipment, train their sickbay staff and also ensure the safe disposal of wastes from sickbay to prevent infection.

    “We have to take responsibility to stay safe as schools reopen.

    “It is crucial to limit the risk of COVID-19 infection across all ages. Parents should take responsibility to protect their children.

    “Encourage your children to wear masks. Teach them how to wash their hands frequently, teach them how to cough and sneeze into their elbows and report when feeling sick,” he said.

    The NCDC DG urged Nigerians to use their face masks properly and wash their hands before wearing their face masks.

    “Ensure it covers your nose and mouth, do not wear it under your nose or chin, do not share your face mask, wash your cloth face mask and dispose of medical mask properly after use, he advised”.

    • NAN

  • NDDC Scholars Hold Fresh Protests in London Over Non-Payment of Fees

    NDDC Scholars Hold Fresh Protests in London Over Non-Payment of Fees

    Nigerian students sponsored abroad in 2018 for further studies by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) are currently holding a fresh protest over the non-release of funds for their scholarship for two years after being verified twice.

    The students bearing placards with various inscriptions in front of the Nigeria High Commission in London and official duties at the commission is currently standstill.

    The aggrieved students told Channels Television that the non-payment of their fees have exposed them to numerous dangers including the COVID-19 virus as some of them have to work in care homes to raise funds.

    “We are here to protest the non-payment of our school fees and allowance for the past two years. We have carried out a series of protests at this embassy but unfortunately, there was no positive response from the NDDC.

    “They said our payment will be made by October 12th after the verification exercise has been concluded. From then till now, our tuition fees and upkeep have not been paid. They keep promising us on a weekly basis. We are tired of all these fake promises,” one of the scholars, Femi, told Channels Television.

    The scholars lamented that due to the nonpayment of their fees, they live from hand to mouth and depend on menial jobs for funding.

    The scholars appealed that the Federal Government use presidential authority to demand that the NDDC pay 2018 NDDC scholarship students as soon as possible.

    They said the protest will continue till next week.

  • Akpabio Denies Accusing N’Assembly Members of NDDC Contract Fraud

    Akpabio Denies Accusing N’Assembly Members of NDDC Contract Fraud

    Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta affairs, says he did not accuse members of the national assembly of benefiting from contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    This is a different statement he made in July, when the NDDC contract fraud was on the spotlight.

    While appearing before a house of representatives committee probing an alleged mismanagement of N81.5 billion by the commission, the minister said national assembly members were the biggest beneficiaries of contracts awarded by the commission.

    Thereafter, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house of representatives, charged him to name the lawmakers or face the “wrath of the house”.

    The former senate minority leader went on to name Peter Nwaoboshi, chairman of the senate committee on NDDC, Matthew Urhoghide, senate committee chairman on public accounts, and James Manager, senator representing Delta south, as some of the beneficiaries.

    They have all denied any wrongdoing.

    Speaking with journalists after meeting with Olatunde Ojo, acting clerk of the national assembly on Tuesday, Akpabio said Gbajabiamila only wanted to know whether there was “undue influence” from the federal lawmakers.

    “No, you are wrong. That was not what the speaker demanded,” the minister said while fielding questions from journalists.

    “The speaker wanted to know whether there was undue influence from any section of the national assembly in respect of contracts in the NDDC. He did not say whether they were contractors, so I am hearing this from you.”

    Akpabio said he would be back to the assembly as soon as the lawmakers return from their recess.

    “This is like homecoming and the national assembly ought to have resumed today (Tuesday). They postponed it, so I intended that as soon as the resumption takes place, I am here.

    “It is part of my effort to support the president’s decision that there must be a much more cordial relationship between the executive and legislature.

    “In fact, the president recently set up a tripartite committee made up of the party (APC), the national assembly and the executive to ensure oneness because we are running one government.”

    The former minority leader said the current government wants to leave a legacy for Nigerians, adding that “we cannot do this if all the arms of government are not cooperating.”

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