From: Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA) and Contractors Association of NDDC have called on International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Niger Delta region to release all unpaid funds accruing to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since its inception in 2000.
The indigenous contractors of NDDC made the call in a joint statement after their review meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on their visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Umana Umana, in Abuja recently.
It was learnt that the commission is entitled to a statutory three percent fund from IOCs’ annual profits for the operations of the agency in the region.
Earlier, Secretary General of the NDICA, Prince Sodinie, recalled that the group was founded in 2000 with the objective of proper coordination and monitoring of contracts and execution by indigenous contractors for quality delivery in accordance with the contract specification.
In a resolution signed by the acting National President, Dressman Darlington, the contractors called on the multinational oil companies to remit the funds to the federal government interventionist agency to enable it carry out its statutory responsibilities in the region.
The groups expressed confidence in the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to address the lingering issues affecting the oil-rich region.
“We are calling on the IOCs to, as a matter of urgency, release monies due for the NDDC to enable the agency live up to its responsibilities to her contractors.”
Meanwhile, the groups have alleged that the commission has been owing the contractors hundreds of billions of naira, spanning the period of over six years.