NDDC IS OWED OVER N2 TRILLION NAIRA- SAYS MD 29-11-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Sam Ogbuku, says the commission is owed over N2 trillion naira.
Dr Ogbuku stated this when he appeared before the House of Representatives Committee on NDDC,
He said the sum was the accumulation of 15 percent of the allocation of the nine states that make up the region, which is due to the Commission since 2000 but has never been paid.
The Managing Director also lamented that despite the passing of the 2021, 2022 and 2023 budgets of the Commission, they were yet to get the funds.
“I want to raise an important issue. When we talk about funding. The NDDC Act says the monthly allocation from the Federal Government is 15 percent of the allocation of nine states of the Niger Delta. But I can assure you that since the inception of the NDDC, it has not gotten that.
“The Federal Government only budgets what it wants to give to NDDC for that year and they give it that year. If you look at the 15 percent, we are not getting the 15 percent. Even with the removal of fuel subsidy and with the increment of states allocation NDDC is still where it is.
The Chairman of the Committee, Mrs Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu , promised to look into the issues raised by the Commission, with a view to addressing them.
She said the committee wants to be able to work with the Board to achieve the goal of changing the narrative of the Niger Delta and the Commission to improve the lives and conditions of the people of the region.