Update: NDDC Shut Down Headquarters Over COVID-19 Scare Shortly After Executive Director’s Death

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has shut down its operation for two weeks over reported COVID-19 scare shortly after the death of Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang, Acting Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission.

It was not clear if the Executive Director who reportedly died Thursday morning was a coronavirus patient but NDDC announced shut down of operations with immediate effect, with a directive for staff to go into self-Isolation in a statement.

BIGPEN reports that NDDC is enmeshed with series of scandals of financial impropriety running into billions of naira and currently undergoing forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The order to shut down operations for fumigation works have triggered scare of outbreak of deadly coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the headquarters.

The statement signed by Silas Anyanwu reads: “I am directed to inform all staff that Management has approved that the Commission be shut down for Two Weeks from today 28th May, 2020.

“Consequently, all activities in the Commission including ongoing matters are hereby shutdown for the time being.

“Members of staff are to ensure that all electrical appliances in their offices are switched off before leaving the premises.

“The Head Security is by this memo directed to work out modalities to ensure the safety and security of the Commission while Director Administration is requested to fumigate and decontaminate the entire offices and premises in the Headquarters during the period.

“Meanwhile staff are enjoined to go into self-Isolation for two weeks as they await further directive from Management”.