Group say NASS decision to probe NDDC on N40 billion expenditure diversionary, malicious

Anti-Corruption and Integrity Forum (ACIF) has described the decision by the National Assembly to probe of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as a diversionary and vindictive venture aimed at undermining the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

ACIF’s Chairman, Comrade Prince Kpokpogri, in a statement in Abuja, enjoined the National Assembly to stop chasing shadows and preoccupy themselves with tackling the Coronavirus pandemic in the country.

The group argued that the decision by the lawmakers to invite Akpabio to question him on the money he duly got from the Presidency to pay contractors is nothing but a distraction, and an attempt to cover up for their laxity and inability to add value to the wellbeing of Nigerians.

The group averred that the decision to probe the NDDC must have been masterminded by disgruntled politicians keen on using the NDDC as a conduit pipe to stack money for 2023 election.

The group further argued that if the petition to probe the hard-working Interim Management Committee of NDDC was not representing vested interest, then why must spend N40 billion to offset contractual debts become a matter of urgent public importance in an era of Coronavirus pandemic?

It noted: “Let me tell the world that the Senate invitation on Akpabio is just an agenda to mount pressure on him to intimidate him, just for disappointing their fraudulent antics. But he should not be perturbed; it’s only but a game.

“What about the petition against the fraudulent administration of the former acting MD of NDDC, Prof. Brambrafa, which was read at the floor of the Senate and heard during the public hearing? Why has the National Assembly not come up with the outcome of the investigation? Why have those who had looted the Commission dry for themselves and their godfathers not been penalised for corrupt offences?

“We are saying that the Interim Management Committee is the best thing that has happened so far in NDDC. We have never had it this good in Niger Delta. Is the Senate saying that contractors should not be paid? It is high time this nonsense stopped.

“We call on the Presidency to disregard any blackmail against the person of Senator Akpabio. We have passed a vote of confidence on him. He is doing what the NDDC was created for, which is to better the lives of the Niger Delta people as an Interventionist Agency.

“Is the National Assembly saying that contractors who were owed over a year ago should not be paid even after the contracts were certified duly executed? Are they aggrieved that some of their youth contractors had been denied opportunities for more fraudulent jobs? Or are they angry that there would be no more free money from contracts that were never executed?.

“Finally, We advise the National Assembly to find something good and of national value to do and stop chasing shadows.”

The group thereby called on the Niger Delta people to support Senator Godswill Akpabio in his quest to clean up the NDDC and reposition to deliver on its mandate.