Mohammed Shosanya
The Niger Delta Development Commission,NDDC has faulted viral reports,claiming that the Commission is diverting funds intended for contractors to finance the Edo All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship campaign.
Nothing can be farther from the truth. We are, therefore, constrained to respond to the false story about an imaginary diversion of NDDC funds. Curiously, the story was attributed to undisclosed sources from the rumour mill.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama
Director, Corporate Affairs of NDDC,clarified in a statement that the commission does not sponsor political parties or candidates contesting in elections at any level of government.
She said the commission’s mandate is to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region,adding that its Management is more determined to uphold its mantra, which is: “Making a Difference,” in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.
She implored members of the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations being introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
Moved to promote acvountability and transparency in public space,she revealed that the NDDC engaged the KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system, as well as improve its internal processes and institutional protocols.
According to her,the audit firm has helped the NDDC establish a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.
As part of this control mechanism,the commission recently held a meeting with members the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the NDDC, she said.
She added:”We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, “to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.
“We assure our stakeholders and members of the public that the NDDC Board and Management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region”.
