NDDC refutes contract award, inability to pay salaries

THE Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has denied media report of inability to pay members of staff salaries due to interference by politicians in the spending of the Commission.

  In a statement, Head, Corporate Affairs, Toye Abosede, said media report that the commission has put its scarce resources at the disposal of certain politicians in Abuja or Port Harcourt was unfounded and mischievous, saying that the allegation is “unfounded, untrue and sadly fabricated to dent the good image and the new reputation of the Commission.”

  He said: “To say that the Commission is unable to pay salaries is not only laughable but very misleading and perhaps aimed at dragging the Commission into the political battle ground. 

  “For the avoidance of doubt, the Commission has never given money to the First Lady or anybody for that matter for the passage of our yearly budget, neither has NDDC ever failed to pay the salaries of its members of staff as at when due. 

  “The Commission therefore wishes to appeal to politicians and their agents in the media to steer clear of NDDC and allow the Commission focus on its mandate of providing a lasting solution to the socio-economic difficulties of Niger Delta Region.” 

 “It is on record and indeed public knowledge that since the advent of the present board, a little over a year ago, the NDDC has shown great leadership, maturity and dynamism in championing and completing hundreds of uncompleted projects rather than awarding new contracts. We certainly prefer at this point not to be distracted or dragged into the same ring with politicians, but continue the momentum of sustainable developmental efforts, which is now visible on ground to all and sundry”, he further said.