The attention of Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative has been drawn to what is almost becoming a constant in the Niger Delta Development Commission which includes a flurry of petitions and allegations of widespread fraud especially as it concerns the recent N4Bn (Four Billion Naira) contract for Lassa Fever and maternal kits amongst others.
Again, Citizens Quest is concerned about the alleged N5Bn ( Five Billion Naira) contract for Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs), which the Commission had disowned in a Press Release of 25th April, 2020 where the Head of Corporate Affairs, Charles Odili stated that no such contract has been awarded.
As a Non Governmental Organization which has been in the forefront of the campaign for good governance as well as accurate reportage of issues, we are determined to verify the veracity of the spurious claims, allegations and counter allegations rocking the Commission for a long time now.
We are not bound to believe these petitions by unregulated and unregistered bodies neither are we interested in slanting the truth to suit anybody’s whims and caprice.
It is obvious that certain interests within and without are not willing to see a new and improved NDDC in spite of the President’s stern directives for a Forensic Audit for the 20 year period of the existence of the intervention agency.
There seems to be an orchestrated plot by some persons who feel a sense of entitlement and ownership of the region, as such, any time there is a change of power, they hurriedly flaunt already prepared petitions. We have observed from the sidelines how these Professional Petition Writers have crippled the activities of the Commission, while we do not excuse the inadequacies of some of those entrusted with the running of the Agency.
In the light of the above, we have concluded plans within the confines of the law for the compliance to the orders of the Government, to go in search of the truth by verifying these claims.
Citizens Quest is worried that there seems to be so much in-fighting and attempts to put a clog in the wheel of progress made so far by the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, H.E. Godswill Akpabio, for a successful take off of the Audit.
More worrisome is that while Nigerians and the rest of the world are in a sober mood as a result of the ravaging Coronavirus and the search for a long lasting solution, some persons are strong enough to fight over money. It calls for deep retrospection on the part of these restless marauders.
We hope to get the maximum support of all stakeholders, to ease the search for the truth, as Citizens Quest is wont to do.
Signed
Chief Oby Christie Ndukwe
National President, Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative
Francis Ndimkoha
National Publicity Secretary,
Citizens Quest For Truth Initiative
