Court orders NDDC to disclose project details in Ondo towns

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Justice Y. Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has ordered the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to honour the Freedom of Information (FOI) request lodged by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre).

The court directed NDDC to provide the group a thorough breakdown of projects identified in Ese-Odo, Ilaje, Irele, and Okitipupa, all in Ondo State.

The Incorporated Trustees of HEDA had sued the NDDC in suit marked FHC/C/CS/250/2021 due to the Commission’s failure to furnish requested information regarding the detailed breakdown of projects since 2021.

HEDA, in a motion on notice, dated and filed on February 17, 2021, sought an order of mandamus to compel the NDDC to furnish the information initially requested on January 22, 2021.

The order sought by the applicant was to ensure that the NDDC adheres to the FOI Act by providing comprehensive details on the identified projects in Ese-Odo, Ilaje, Irele and Okitipupa.

In his ruling, Justice Bogoro directed the NDDC to comply with the information outlined in the applicant’s request dated February 17, 2021. However, HEDA’s report in November 2020 highlighted 29 abandoned projects worth billions of Naira in Ondo State, with Ilaje Local Government Area having 12 projects, Okitipupa LGA with 11 projects, Ese-Odo LGA with four projects, and Irele LGA with two projects.