The House of Representatives on Tuesday flagged off the investigation into multi-billion naira worth of abandoned projects worth implemented between 2000 and 2019 by the Niger Delta Dev FG confirms release of N738bn to NDDC development Commission, NDDC.
FG confirms release of N738bn to NDDC
They are Delta, Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Ondo, Imo, Bayelsa, Cross River, Abia and Edo states respectively.
Worried by the failure of various stakeholders invited to the investigative hearing on the abandoned projects being executed by the Commission in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Ad-hoc Committee, Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai, summoned Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; the acting NDDC Managing Director and other Directors to appear before the Committee on Monday, 16th September 2019.
The Committee also invited the former Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and immediate past NDDC Managing Director and other Directors to appear on the 17th September 2019.
While giving an update on the audit of the projects implemented by the Commission, Director of Federation Account in the office of Auditor General of the Federation (oAGF), Mr. Sabo Mohammed, disclosed that total sum of N61.468 billion paid to contractors who abandoned the projects was wasted.
On his part, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Works, Mr. Ephraim Akparawa Inyang-Eyem disclosed that 384 projects including roads, solar power and classrooms implemented by NDDC across the state were abandoned.
In its submission, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), disclosed that NDDC did not get its approval for Emergency Projects worth over N80bn billion, adding that the Bureau does not have records of abandoned projects under the NDDC.
Also speaking, representative of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, Hon. Gbenga Edema, closed 115 projects initiated by NDDC were abandoned, adding that no project has so far been commissioned across the state.
According to other stakeholders from the state, one of the projects awarded at the sum of N2.4 billion to Gallet Nigeria Ltd in 2004 and paid the sum of N650 million as mobilized fees was abandoned due to non-performance.
The same project was rewarded in 2009 by the second Board at the sum of N6.6 billion to Dredging Atlantic Nigeria Limited.
While declaring the investigative hearing open, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila who expressed displeasure over the spate of abandoned projects across the country assured Nigerians that the House will expose any infractions discovered will not be swept under the carpet.
Hon. Gbajabiamila who was represented by Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Peter Akpatason reiterated the resolve of the 9things Assembly towards deploying legislative instrument to find a solution to our age-long problems confronting the country.
He observed that “abandonment of projects is the biggest challenge get in the country in health and infrastructure adding that NDDC is the most hit.
“This House is determined to from frontally challenged anything that is found to be wrong and if infractions are discovered it will not be swept under the carpet,” the Speaker vowed.
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