Fresh Facts Reveal NDDC Spends N122.9m On Condolence Visits In 2020

The corruption allegation against the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is becoming more interesting as new facts revealed that the commission has so far in this year spent no less than N122.9 million on condolence visits.

According to the discovery, the huge sum spent was a part of N81.5 billion expenses on related events by the commission between January 2020 to this time.

Naija News learnt that the mentioned figures were revealed on Wednesday, July 15 by the House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta Affairs. Recall that the committee is in charge of investigating the financial misappropriation, a fictitious award of contracts and corruption by the Niger Delta Development Commission.

Also, the Chairman of the Committee, Olubumi Ojo disclosed that a report from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has revealed that the committee has so far spent mentioned funds as follow:

“Community relations -N1.3 billion, Condolences- N122.9 million, Consultancy: N83 million, Covid-19- N3.14 billion, DTA (Duty Travel Allowance)- N486 million, Impress – N790.9 million.

“Lasser fever- N1.956 billion, Legal Services- N900 million, Maintenance- N220 million, Overseas travel- N85.6 million, Project Public Communication- N1.121 billion, Security- N744 million, Staffing related payment- N8.8 billion and Stakeholders engagement (February 18- May 31, 2020) N248 million.”

Speaking on the reported figures, representative of the CBN, John Attah said he would not be able to make provision for figures spent from January to May off-hand. He said, “I can not give you the total offhand, but what I know is we only make payment on infrastructure.”

However, to put records aright, the chairman of the committee called for a meeting with the management of the NDDC.

On his part, the Speaker of the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Mr Femi Gbajabiamila while addressing the committee, urged them to discharge their duty on the investigation without giving room for fear.

“Because of the importance of this committee, the issues; I decided to appear here personally. This committee with the backing of the house and the Nigerian people, I charge them to do what they ought to do as long as they stay on the path of truth and justice, “ he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Niger Delta Affair, Godswill Akpabio, has reacted to the corruption allegation levelled against him by Joy Nunieh, the immediate past acting Managing Director of the commission.