South-South group endorses probe of NDDC projects, threatens to expose fake contractors

The South-South Emerging Leaders Forum (SELF) yesterday supported the presidential directive for a forensic audit of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

In a statement yesterday, its Coordinator, Preye Wilson, argued that the move to verify projects and contracts awarded by the NDDC was a step in the right direction. It, however, threatened to expose those it described as “enemies of the South-South region, who have siphoned funds meant for projects and development in the zone,” saying, “all former managing directors of the commission and fake contractors should be prosecuted.”

Commending Comrade Timi Frank for his stance on the need to support the current management of NDDC under its Acting Managing Director, Dr. Joi Nunieh, the group maintained that Nunieh has what it takes to fix the decay in the NDDC.The group vowed to oppose all political leaders in the region who are bent on frustrating the current leadership of the NDDC led by Dr. Joi Nunieh to achieve its mandate.

While assuring that it would sensitise the youths, women and children on the need to expose corruption and corrupt persons who have held the NDDC hostage over the years, SELF threatened “to protest to the National Assembly if NDDC’s budget is not approved and released as soon as possible.”

It also urged Senate President, Ahmed Lawan to caution senators from the zone against use their offices to sabotage the efforts of the current management of the NDDC as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The group said, “We must commend President Buhari for the appointment of Dr. Joi Nunieh, as Acting Managing Director of the NDDC. We believe in her capacity to deliver and we feel strongly that she will deliver on her assignment.

“We only request that Mr. President should give the current leadership of NDDC all the necessary backing to sanitize the commission and urge Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to work with Dr. Joi Nunieh to achieve the commission’s mandate.It added that it was high time professionals and educated individuals in the Niger Delta region stopped sitting on the fence, saying, “We will henceforth speak out against the ills holding our region hostage and support those with good intention for the region.”“We have water in abundance but nothing to drink. We have resources to develop our region, but we lack good roads, good hospitals and other basic amenities, while our qualified youths remain unemployed.”