NDDC: Orji Kalu, Uduaghan, James Ibori, Ararume involved in Contract Scandal – Akpabio

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NDDC

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has now linked Two former governors of Delta State, James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan, and a former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu into he various contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Also linked to the contracts in the letter submitted to the House of Representatives Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, is a former lawmaker for the Imo North (Okigwe) constituency of Imo State, Senator Ifeanyi Ararume.

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Recall that a list had appeared earlier containing names of Senators and House of Representatives members involved in Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC contracts.

In the letter with Reference Number MNDA/HM/04/IV/158, addressed to the Clerk to House of Reps, Patrick Giwa, and also copied to the office of the Attorney General of the Federation/Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, the Minister named the top government officials as beneficiaries of the NDDC contracts.

The emergency repairs projects linked to them were awarded two years ago precisely in 2018 at a cost ranging from N400m and N560m each.

One of the projects linked to James Ibori, a former Delta State Governor, was the emergency repairs of Onoghove community road from Ajanesan to Western Delta University at a cost of N485.7m.

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Uduaghan, also a former Governor of Delta State, was linked to the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429m.

Five projects were linked to Kalu, who was simply identified in the document as OUK-Kalu (the project source).

The emergency repairs on road projects linked to Kalu are in Abia State and the costs ranged from N517m to N560m.

The details are Emergency repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road (N517.9m) and repairs of Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze (N560m).

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NDDC: Buhari given more reasons to sack Akpabio, others

A group, Niger Delta Renaissance Coalition, has given President Muhammadu Buhari more reasons to sack the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio.

The group also wants all members of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, sacked.

The group pointed out that President Buhari had already admitted to wrongdoing by the IMC, adding that this should be enough reason for him to act fast.

Recall that when Buhari was asked what he thought of the ongoing revelations of corruption at the EFCC and the NDDC, the President said that some of his appointees have abused trust by misusing their offices.

The group wondered why the President, after such admission, was yet to act, adding that his delay emboldens Akpabio, and the IMC to continue the pillage of the Commission.

This was contained in a statement by Comrade Godknows Sotonye, National Coordinator of the group.

It also pointed to the National Assembly report on the misuse of N81.5 billion in just a few months by the IMC and under the watchful eyes of Akpabio, insisting that the financial recklessness had continued.

“The Acting MD Prof Keme Pondei and his IMC colleagues should not remain in office a day longer,” the group said.

“We cannot afford delayed action by the president, which gives these officials that have abused public trust such as Akpabio and the IMC more time to commit further infractions, when there are already established cases of fraud, corruption, self-enrichment, financial recklessness, abuse of due process and mismanagement against them.

“Mr President should also take note that Akpabio fraudulently procured certificates of no-objection from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for the award of two contracts, the first for a lead forensic consultant at N318 million, and the second for the purchase of 62 cars for N1.599 billion.

“The President should match his words with action and visit the 116-page report and resolutions of the Senate on the financial recklessness of the NDDC IMC, which was adopted unanimously. The report details the humongous scam that has been going on at the NDDC, and presents a clear pathway forward for the Commission,” the statement read in part.

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