NDDC Debunks Reports Calling On EFCC To Probe Payment Of N20bn To Ghost Contractors

BIGPENNGR reports that the denial followed alleged ‘spurious publication’ on some dailies and online news channels by foremost Ijaw youth group, Ijaw Youth Council, (IYC) which called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe the alleged illegal payment.

IYC National spokesman, Mr Ebilade Ekerefe, had at a press conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital,  lamented that genuine contractors that have finished projects awarded by the commission were yet to be paid.

But NDDC, in a statement, on Monday, by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, dismissed the allegations, stating categorically that it did not pay any N20 billion naira to any ghost contractor or any one for that matter as demonically alleged by the group.

Abosede said that it was not only laughable but most unfortunate that the said sponsored group who claim to be Ijaw Youth further called for the probe of monies that were never spent by the Commission.

The statement reads; “The pubic is hereby put on notice, that these spurious lies are being masterminded, fabricated and orchestrated by persons who are positioning their relatives and associates for ultimate appointment into the Board of the NDDC.

“These individuals, who are hell bent on using all manners of gimmicks to arm twist the President into appointing their relatives, cronies or associates into the Commission’s board, feel that the only way they can achieve their selfish desire is by using false allegations and blackmail against the hardworking Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and the Interim Administrator in order to get the attention of Mr. President.

“The Commission for the umpteenth time states without mincing words that it never paid N20 billion naira to any ghost contractor and therefore challenges the authors and fabricators of these malicious allegations to come out with proof or name the Companies of these “ghost contractor.”

“The NDDC under the Interim Administration and the supervision of the Hon, Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, will continue to be focused and prudent in the management of its resources for the benefit of the people of the region and will remain committed to the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The Commission, therefore, urges all well-meaning Niger Deltans and Nigerians in general to disregard these self-seeking elements and the concocted figments of their blurred imagination”, the statement added.