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Contractors Accuse NDDC MD Of Corruption
Some persons under the auspices of the Association of Niger Delta Development Commission Contractors have taken a swipe at the Prof. Nelson Brambaifa-led Management Board of NDDC, accusing it of engaging in corruption and malpractices.
The accusation was made last Saturday during a live radio current affairs programme monitored by The Tide in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The Chairman of the NDDC Contractors Association, Mr Joe Adia, who made the allegation, said that no tangible achievement has been recorded by the current management of the NDDC, accusing it of deliberately frustrating the contractors, who were being owed billions of Naira for projects executed for the commission.
Denying the claim that the commission has completed over 500 projects within this period, Adia claimed that the acting managing director of NDDC travels frequently to Abuja at the expense of the suffering people of the region, alleging that the present management of NDDC was awarding contracts to Northerners to curry favour from the Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.
He accused the management of favouring some contractors against others in the commission, lamenting that some contractors were always accorded more attention by the management.
Adia further stated that the problems facing the NDDC were systematic in nature, arguing that his association has written to the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and the House of Representatives on the issue of the huge debts owed contractors, saying that their efforts have not yielded any positive results.
He expressed fears that the commission may never pay the contractors the huge debts despite the promise made by the acting MD to pay the contractors owed below N10million on a regular basis.
“Instead of paying us, the commission is using security personnel to harass and intimidate the contractors at the entrance of the commission”, he added.
Also speaking, Assistant Secretary of the NDDC Contractors Association, Mr. Sonny Bestowe, stated that the commission was far from being a responsible outfit going by the way it was handling its contractors.
He argued that banks were refusing to give credit facility to NDDC contractors because of the fear that NDDC hardly pays her contractors.
Responding on behalf of NDDC, the Special Assistant to the Acting Managing Director on Media, Barrister Chizi Enyi denied all the claims by the contractors.
Enyi stated that Brambaifa has never denied any genuine contractor opportunity for a meeting after proper identification.
He also said that the commission was not going to handle issues of contractors alone, arguing that other issues such as education, agriculture, among others were being handled by the commission.
Enyi described as unfortunate the allegations that the acting MD travelled frequently to Abuja and uses security to harass contractors, and advised contractors to always follow due process in pursuing their cause, and stop the media trial.
He expressed confidence in the ability of the Brambaifa-led management board to address all pending issues, and consolidate efforts to transform the region.
Tamunoiminabo Fineface
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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