TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
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.
