NDDC has collapsed, now cash cow for politician

Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Niger
Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has collapsed, losing its
capacity to deliver development to the Niger Delta.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by the interim management
committee of NDDC to the Government House, Port Harcourt, Wike
declared that the commission had degenerated into a cash cow for
politicians.

“Those, who fought for the establishment of NDDC will weep that
the commission has deviated from its mandate. NDDC has collapsed.
NDDC has become a cash cow for politicians.

“NDDC is now a political institution. NDDC stole our money.
There was an agreement between the Rivers State Government and NDDC
to collaborate for the construction of the Mother and Child
Hospital. NDDC refused to pay its counterpart fund. Even the N800
million paid by the Rivers State Government, the NDDC only paid
N400 million to the contractor and diverted N400 million.

“If they don’t pay our money, we will institute legal action
against NDDC to retrieve our money,” he said.

He said the immediate-past board of the NDDC expended N10
billion during the 2019 election to stop him from getting a second
term, but they failed.

“After the former board released N10 billion to remove me from
office and they failed, they came here for a courtesy visit. I
asked them why they refused to partner states for the development
of the Niger Delta,” he said.

Governor Wike informed that it were Niger Delta governors that
demanded the forensic audit of the NDDC because of the massive rot
at the commission.

“Niger Delta governors asked for the forensic audit of the NDDC
when we met with the president. We also asked for the setting up of
the Board of Governors for NDDC.

“I urge the interim committee to carry out a proper audit. You
will meet obstacles, but be determined to do a thorough job,” he
said.

He urged the people of the Niger Delta to work in unity to
develop the geo-political zone.

On the leadership of NDDC, Governor Wike said that appointment
of officials was strictly a function of the executive arm of
government. He said no other arm of government can determine who
runs the NDDC.

While congratulating the acting Managing Director of NDDC and
members of the interim committee, Governor Wike said he would never
be party to any plot to remove a Rivers person from a position of
responsibility.

He said despite the funds pumped into NDDC, the commission has
accumulated huge debts with no meaningful projects across the Niger
Delta.

He regretted that the commission has also refused to patronise
reputable contractors for projects.

Earlier, the acting Managing Director of NDDC, Gbene Joi Nunieh,
said that the commission was determined to partner Niger Delta
governors for the development of the region.

She urged the state governor to forget the past failures of NDDC
and partner with the commission.

She sought the assistance of the governor in the areas of health
and education. She said some cottage hospitals completed by the
NDDC, had been illegally occupied.