After Consulting Rivers Govt, Deceased Family, NDDC Say ‘Our Late Executive Director, Etang Tested Positive To COVID-19’

The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says after due consultation with the Government of Rivers state and family of its late acting Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Ibanga Etang, it hereby announced that the deceased died of COVID-19 having tested positive for coronavirus.

This was contained in a statement by its Director, Coroporate Affairs, Charles Odili, on Tuesday after seeking consent of the deceased family and Rivers Government to announced the status of the late director.

The statement reads in full:

“The Management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been consulting with the family of Elder Ibanga Bassey Etang who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, May 28, 2020.

“The family has authorized the Commission to announce that the late executive director tested positive to COVID-19.

“The Rivers State Ministry of Health has written to the Commission to also confirm the cause of death resulting from complications attributable to COVID-19.

“The ministry has, therefore, directed the Commission to order all management staff to go into self-isolation for a period of 14 days with effects from today, While seeking the cooperation of the organisation in tracing staff and contractors who have had close contact with the deceased.

“During the meeting with the family, they expressed fervent desire, that the death of the Executive Director should not be politicised, wishing to be left alone to mourn with dignity. This also is the position of the Commission.

“We pray for the peaceful repose of the soul of our Executive Director Finance and Administration, Elder lbanga Bassey Etang”, the statement said.