Commission probed over missing funds

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), an idea conceived to speed up the development of the oil producing region of the country, is facing allegations of corruption. Created in 2000 by the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo administration to replace the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission, the NDDC raised hopes of protection from the activities of oil and gas companies in the area. THISDAY reports that states covered by the commission are Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Edo, Delta, Ondo, Imo and Abia. Observers believe the commission has received and squandered millions of dollars since its establishment. BudgIT Nigeria, which promotes transparency, citizen engagement and accountability last year said the NDDC received at least $40bn for projects in oil-rich Niger Delta ‘yet failed to achieve the Niger Delta Regional Development Masterplan to lay the foundation for transforming the region into Nigeria's Dubai’. In April, a stakeholders in the region claimed the NDDC fraudulently awarded a major contract to a Signora Concepts Services, a Port Harcourt-based company, for the procurement of specialised medical personal protective equipment for health workers to fight the coronavirus. The Senate is now holding public hearings to address ‘financial recklessness’ and the misappropriation of funds.