NDDC Writes IG, Demands Prosecution Of Failed Contractors

The acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, calling for the arrest and prosecution of contractors, who refused to execute contracts that they were paid for.

The NDDC MD signed the petition, dated July 29, 2020.

Pondei in the letter forwarded to the IG reminded him about some documents relating to the alleged contract scam in the agency, currently being handled by the police department of operations.

Titled, ‘Re: Forwarding of documents in respect of ongoing investigation’, the petition stated that the NDDC had attached fresh documents that could assist the police in the probe.

The petition read in part, “In or about 2017, the commission awarded contracts to certain companies for the production of desks and chairs for primary and secondary schools in the Niger Delta region.”

“The list of the companies is attached.”

“The contracts were awarded in furtherance of the commission’s education sector mandate in the Niger Delta region.”

“Instead of supplying the chairs and desks to the commission’s warehouse in Port Harcourt or to any of the NDDC offices in the nine Niger Delta states, the contractors supplied them to a warehouse described as Akuede Akwis, Benin Expressway, Okpanam before Wichetech.”

“The warehouse is located in Delta State and has no relationship with the commission.”

Meanwhile, a construction firm, Webster Global Ventures, listed in the list forwarded to the IG has denied being part of such a fraudulent practice.

The MD of NDDC had accused the firm of using the National Assembly to coerce the NDDC into making payments for contracts not executed.

The Company in a statement released through its Director of Operations, Opeolu Adara, on Sunday, described Pondei’s claim as a deliberate attempt to bring the firm’s reputation into disrepute.