Gbene Nunieh, acting managing
director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), says the commission
has suspended the monthly payment of N1 billion to a consultant that collects
money from international oil companies (IOCs), on its behalf.
She disclosed this while speaking
with reporters at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, on
Wednesday.
She said the commission did not
need middlemen to collect statutory funds due to it.
“We have a consulting firm
engaged as a collection agent. We have another company that also collects three
percent whenever money is paid by the International Oil Companies, IOCs,” she
said.
“We don’t need a middle man to
collect three percent for gas. The money should just be paid into NDDC accounts
with the CBN.
“That is why I have suspended the
contract of a collection agent. We are no longer going to pay anyone N1 billion
every month. That is wicked.
“That money can put mono pumps in
rural communities in the Niger Delta. It can buy books and set up primary
health centres. The three percent for a consulting firm is over. That is why we
are under pressure. But I laugh because those who live in glass houses should
never throw stones.”
Nunieh said political
interference is setting the commission back, vowing not to bow to pressure.
She added that her desk was
overflowing with files waiting for payments, even from companies belonging to
an individual.
“How can someone have 87
companies waiting for payment?” she asked.
“What is happening is very
embarrassing. We must all get up and know that these people have taken our
commonwealth.”
The acting MD said things were
beginning to look up as many contractors have gone back to site since she
mounted the saddle.
“We have about 57 contractors
that have gone back to site. I am encouraging everyone to go back to site so
that things will be done properly. Those that actually execute their contracts
will be paid,” she said.
“No big contractors. Get the
locals who are plumbers to get the mono-pumps to work. We are going to take
development to the people and that is why you no longer see the young men
hanging around our gates. We have asked them to go back to their communities
and we will meet them there.”
On Monday, Cairo Ojougboh, NDDC’s
acting executive director of projects, said a sitting senator is handling 300
of the commission’s project.
Ojougboh, who did not name the
senator, said 120 of the contracts have been fully paid for, saying that the
contracts were being investigated.
He also said the commission is
owing N3 trillion in contract sum.
Last month, President Muhammadu
Buhari ordered a forensic audit of the commission since 1999.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com