CSO urges FG to publish details of over 12,000 abandoned NDDC projects

Ini Billie, Uyo

Civil Society Organisations in Akwa Ibom State have asked the Federal Government to publish details of over 12,000 abandoned NDDC projects as stated by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Chairman group, Mr Harry Udoh who said that by keeping the report from the public, the FG is making corruption thrive.

He added that it is only the publication of the recommendations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) forensic report that will curtail the corruption.

Speaking on Monday in Uyo in commemoration of the International Anti-Corruption Day 2021 with the theme: “Your Right, Your Role: Say No to Corruption”, Udoh said details of the contractors involved in the abandoned project cases and names of those who approved the said contracts should also be published.

“Authorize the publication of the details of the over 12,000 abandoned projects the Minister mentioned.

“Publish the details of the contractors involved in the abandoned project cases. Publish the names of those who approved the said contracts.

“Appeal to the President to expedite action against anyone found culpable including contractors who failed to deliver on their projects.

“Take prompt steps in implementing the recommendations of the audit report. Immediate investigation and prosecution of all involved in the mismanagement of the over N6 trillion mentioned in the report.

“Arrest and prosecute all Management members of the commission involved in contracts racketeering,” he stated.

The CSO chairman decried that efforts to get hold of the NDDC forensic report failed even after it has written to the Attorney-General of the Federation demanding for it.

He revealed that the AG referred the CSO back to the NDDC for the report who requested that the organisations pay N350,000 for it.

He threatened that the CSO may be forced to take legal action if the government fails to release the NDDC forensic report and prosecute persons indited or found culpable.

He further called for the reconstitution of the NDDC Board, noting that since the commission has been operating illegally in the last two years, it has become the pivot for corruption.

“It is sad to note that 20 years after the establishment of the Commission, and a whopping N6 trillion seemingly down the drain, successive managers of the NDDC have not only neglected their mandate and abdicated their responsibility to the region but have opened up the commission to wanton abuse and looting.

“Gory tales of corruption as evidenced in contract racketeering, kickbacks, and outright abandonment of projects, payments for projects not executed.

“Many Niger Delta citizens have lost their lives in the struggle for the redemption of the region from utter destruction.

“It is unconscionable that a commission set up to ameliorate the suffering of the people of the region is the same one that has supervised the emasculation of the people and ensured the region remains undeveloped,” he stressed.