Chief Johnny Call On EFCC, SSS, ICPC TO Investigate The Activities of NDDC

The Agadiwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, Delta state, High Chief Michael Johnny has called on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), The State Security Service (SSS) or Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate Kickbacks irregularities in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) against contractors.

Recall that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was created by former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo in the year 2000, with the sole mandate of developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region.

Sadly, Since the establishment of NDDC, the core mandate of developing the Niger Delta region is not well achieved, as The developmental maladies still persists year in year out.

This is becoming worst in the hands of Dr Samuel Ugbuku led NDDC administration as activities are in transverse to the core mandate of developing the region, with NDDC positioned as a conduit pipe for siphoning Niger Delta’s common patrimony.

High Chief Michael Johnny a Niger Delta stakeholder narrating the plight of Contractors said Kickback has predominantly been operational in NDDC dealings with contractors, Leading to the Death of Most contractors, who took loans from Banks to complete their jobs without pay, because they can’t meet up conditions for kickbacks.

Outrageously, High Chief Michael Johnny lamented that contractors are asked to kickback ₦50million for a contract sum of ₦250million which is barbaric in every sense of the word.

High Chief Michael Johnny alledged that NDDC now operates with selected contractors who agrees to this sinister kickbacks thereby subjecting the region to perpetual underdevelopment.

however, He reminded the board that the NDDC should not be construed as an appendage of selected few but a special purpose vehicle meant to ameliorate the sufferings of the people due to long years of neglect and environmental degradation brought about by the activities of oil exploration, production and spillage.

High Chief Michael Johnny warned that they should not politicise the activities of the commission but rather carry the communities and all critical stakeholders in the region, especially the youths, along throughout their tenure.

According to him, To end the continued ugly trend of retrogression there’s need for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), The State Security Service (SSS) or Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate Kickbacks irregularities in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) against contractors.