Jonathan And That NDDC Probe Report

President Goodluck Jonathan, last week  said he would eradicate corruption, ensure probity and accountability in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) when he received the report on activities of the commission in Abuja. Jonathan’s position was informed by the startling revelations from the Presidential Monitoring Committee’s report on NDDC.

The report indicted officials of the commission for indulging in unjustifiable variation of contract sums, abandonment of projects and other sharp practices. It said that between 2005 and 2011 NDDC engaged incompetent contractors, approved and executed projects outside its statutory scope in Cross River, Edo and Rivers States.

In addition to the reports from the three states, feedback on 1,510 projects compiled in six other oil producing states by the committee depicts an even more dreadful can of worms. The Tide can now recall the systemic decay in NDDC that made the commission a shame of the region. Owing to persistent crises and corruption, President Jonathan said he would reform the commission to generate people-oriented projects

It is indeed sad that rather than count their blessings, twelve years after the inception the NDDC, oil producing states have recorded more economic and environmental woes. From one internal conflict to the other, the NDDC itself, had become a looting centre where principal officers, tear themselves up. Indeed their passion for self-service far outweighed the organisation’s interest.

Unfortunately, officials of the commission portray the commission as a mere contract awarding agency. It is for this disconnect from the original dream that abuses happened and then the Presidential Committee under the leadership of Mr Steve Orosanya was formed to audit contract awards, among other things.

At the end of its exercise, the former head of the commission, Mr Chibuzor Ugwuoha was sacked. Incidentally, the Presidential Committee led by Chief Isaac Jemide merely justified Orosanya’s report.

Even so, it beats our imagination that officials of the commission could be so callous. We remember the former boss of the commission, Ambassador Samuel Edem who was alleged to have spent N1 billion on witchcraft and N270 million on rituals to remain in office.

While we salute the courage of the panels for being able to unearth the rot in the commission we urge the present leadership to ensure probity and accountability as well as position the commission for quality service to the people of the Niger Delta. On the other hand, the Federal Government must implement recommendations of the panel if any progress is to be recorded. Indicted officials should be prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others, even as past leaders of the commission should not be spared.

But we are worried that some officials under the present regime refused access to some information needed by the committee. This not only amounts to presenting oneself as an accomplice but also suggests that the officer would do more and this is unacceptable.

A situation where principal officers brazenly violate the Act establishing the commission should not be tolerated any longer, especially in contract awards. Indeed the Federal Government should seize this opportunity to reposition and redirect the NDDC to face functions as an interventionist agency for the Niger Delta people and not to compete with State and local governments in catering for people already being taken care of in the cities.

We expect that those areas that the panel was denied access would also be called up with a view to uncovering more abuses in the system. The Federal Government must be seen to be committed to transforming the NDDC with a view to making it directly impact on the long neglected people of the Niger Delta.

Clearly, the NDDC may have failed the nation and the region in particular, but to fail to implement the probe report is to legitimise corruption, impunity and acts of lawlessness in the commission.