We did not pay N20bn to ghost contractors—NDDC

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has denied that it paid N20 billion to contractors that did not do any job for the Commission, describing the reports as spurious. The Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Dr. Ibitoye Abosede, in a statement in Port Harcourt said NDDC did not pay such amount to ghost contractors. Abosede said that the lies were coming from individuals who intend to project their relatives to take over the management of the Commission. 

He said “The attention of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been drawn to a spurious publication on some dailies and online news channels by some Ijaw Youth Group, alleging that the NDDC has paid the sum of N20 billion to ghost contractors by their spokesperson one Ebilade Ekerefe in Yanagoa Bayelsa State. The NDDC, wants to state categorically that it did not pay any N20 billion to any ghost contractor or any one for that matter as demonically alleged by the group. The said sponsored group who claim to be Ijaw Youth further call for the probe of monies that were never spent by the Commission is not only laughable but most unfortunate.

“The pubic is hereby put on notice, that these spurious lies are being masterminded, fabricated and orchestrated by persons who are positioning their relatives and associates for ultimate appointment into the Board of the NDDC. The Commission for the umpteenth time states without mincing words that it never paid N20 billion to any ghost contractor and therefore challenges the authors and fabricators of these malicious allegations to come out with proof or name the Companies of these “ghost contractor.” Abosede noted that the NDDC under the Interim Administration and the supervision of the Hon, Minister, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, would continue to be focused and prudent in the management of its resources for the benefit of the people of the region.