Alleged N3b Payment: Firm To Critics: Akpabio Not Doing Us Any Favour, Threatens Legal Action

An indigenous firm, Rodnab Construction Company Limited, on Monday, threatened to institute legal action against purveyors of spurious allegation that Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio paid it a whooping N3billion (Three Billion Naira) for job not executed in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The firm which described the allegation published in an online media (Not BIGPEN) as untrue, said that those behind the unfounded and reckless statements of lies against a brand name like RODNAB should be prepared to face the wrath of the law.

A statement issued by Adamu Ishaku Musa, the Company’s Secretary and Legal Adviser, said that those behind the unsubstantiated allegations could be charged for “Malicious Falsehood and Cyberstalking offenses punishable under Sections 375 and 376 of the Criminal Code and Section 24 of Cybercrimes Act 2015 with 2, 3 and 7 years’ imprisonment”.

“So, perpetrators of this act and their sponsors are warned as we will not hesitate to institute legal action against them, forthwith”, the firm said.

According to the statement, as a company with 18 years’ experience in the field of construction and civil engineering, with reputation of delivery quality services in the industry in compliance with COREN and world best standard, the publication has impugn on its corporation image and would attract an action.

“We have worked, and still working with our clientele, which cuts across governmental organizations, private companies and individuals who take pride in our experts’ services and end products.

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“We accept and execute all our jobs in compliance with industry and professional best practice, due process and all regulatory requirements of laid down rules of our clientele and the government of Nigeria.

“We will like to state unequivocally that all the jobs we have secured and executed (even our NDDC Projects) were duly tendered for and won, having met all necessary conditions, which includes ensuring that the approval of the Federal Executive Council is given (for public institution jobs)”, the construction firm said.

Consequently, the company denied the allegations that its was a front used by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to siphon monies from the NDDC saying “It is also important to note that, the present Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs (Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio) was not in the cabinet when the contract was approved and awarded”.

The firm handling the NDDC’s headquarters building, said that it was baseless to say that Akpabio had singled it out for favour among the numerous contractors NDDC have, for job not executed for the interventionist agency.

“Neither the Commission nor the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is doing us a favour with payments received for work done as it is obligatory on the Commission to pay contractors for jobs duly executed”.

“Furthermore, we will like to state that the contract duration was for one year. Unfortunately, due to issues beyond our control especially timely funding and other sundries, we were compelled to extend the handover date and possible commissioning till April, 2020, all things being equal.

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“All payments so far received are monies paid by the Commission on the attainment of target milestones and satisfaction of quality expectations on the awarded projects”

The firm also debunked allegation that Akpabio was funding militancy through it, adding that never a time that Minister paid it any money to promote militancy in the Niger Delta region.

“We do not do business with militants, and have no need to pay them. We deliver quality job and project for value and we take pride that our company has attained this fit and height in the construction industry in Nigeria. And we expect no less pride from all Nigerians.

The statement however called on Nigerians to be wary of the sponsors of the baseless reports which its said was promoted by ‘mischief makers’ and ‘protagonists of hate speech’ whose intent is to cause disaffection among the people, and ensure that no meaningful development comes to the region.