NDDC Orders Contractors Back To Sites

The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr Christian Oboh, yesterday held his maiden meeting with contractors and consultants of the commission with a directive that they should go back to their various project sites.

The managing director who solicited for the co-operation of the contractors and consultants expressed his administration’s commitment to actualise the rapid development of the region, saying, the commission was ready to pay the contractors on time.

Assuring them of easy access to his office, he said, “I am willing to pay you but if you fail to work, we shall deal with you accordingly.”

Mr Peter Elumelu, representing Gibson Nigeria Limited, the contracting firm handling some projects in Delta State said since the dissolution of the former board of the commission, his company had not been paid for jobs so far done.

He appealed to the NDDC managing director to expedite action to enable contractors handling jobs in the swamp areas to take advantage of the dry season to fast-track the projects.

Another contractor, Chief Jasper Jumbo advised the managing director to look into the area of project monitoring and ensure that contractors were paid as at when due to avoid unnecessary delay.

He accused the designated banks of the commission of delaying the payment of contractors which, according to him, frustrates the contractors’ efforts.

Also speaking, Mrs Priscilia Vikue on the platform of the Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors commended the determination of the new managing director of the commission to service delivery.

She said the Niger Delta indigenous contractors were not given their fair share in the contract award by the commission, and urged the management to address the anomalies.

Mrs Vikue said the indigenous contractors would partner with the new management of NDDC in ensuring that jobs handled by them were delivered according to specifications and on good time.

Chris Oluoh