News
Ex-Agitators Disrupt NDDC’s Hearing On Corruption
Some ex-agitators in the Niger Delta yesterday disrupted a hearing organised by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to investigate allegations of corruption and racketeering in the commission.
The trouble started when the ex-agitators in their numbers were asked to present their invitation letters for subsequent accreditation to which they refused.
The ex-agitators expressed displeasure over claims that they were not invited for the hearing, alleging that the meeting was convened for the purpose of sharing contracts and money.
They made several threats and almost beat up top officials of the commission and other stakeholders if not for quick intervention by some of their members who were against the protest.
The ex-agitators had promised mayhem, if organisers of the event still went ahead with the meeting without recourse to their formal invitation.
Several efforts made to appease the ex-agitators by offering them the chance to participate in the hearing were in futility.
Speaking on the incident, one of the Coalition of Niger Delta Activist leaders, Dr Sam Ebiye, faulted the invitation of the contractor to the investigative hearing.
He alleged that some few people were selected to be part of the event while many contractors who had something to present to the panel were sidelined.
Coordinator for African Network for Environment and Economic Justice, Mr David Ugolo, said that NDDC should not have positioned itself as judge over its own case.
Ugolo said that the commission should have invited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the investigation to showcase prudence.
Our correspondent learnt the meeting was organised for contractors, civil society and the media.
Reacting to the protest, Mr Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, NDDC’s Head Corporate Affairs, who confirmed the issue, explained that a six-man committee was set up to investigate allegations of corruption and racketeering in the commission.
He said that invitations were sent to about 100 contractors and some other stakeholders who had done business with the commission.
NDDC Managing Director, “Mr Nsima Ekere, setup a six-man committee to investigate allegations of corruption and racketeering in the commission with intent to tackle them, if any exists.
“The committee was tasked with the responsibility to ask questions and get answers from those who have stories to tell and others who have evidence to show that these allegations were true or not.
“The committee started its work by reaching out to many contractors who had been heard to have purported or claimed that there was corruption in the system.
“Thereafter, letters were sent to every one of them and also expanded to others in the nine states of the region with hope to get to the root of the allegations.
“It’s rather unfortunate that people would disrupt a meeting without even having slight idea of what the meeting intended to achieve – which was for the good of everyone.
“Sadly, what happened today was typical and beginning to seem of what goes on in the Niger Delta; where even the best intentions are often misunderstood,” he said.
Amu-Nnadi said the ex-agitators were neither contractors; civil society nor the media to which the investigative hearing was designed.
He said the allegations of corruption were accusations that were made before the new NDDC governing board and management took office.
The spokesman said that NDDC board had met the ex-agitators recently and would continue to do so at different levels with focus to find resolution to some of their agitations.
“We must move away from disruptive engagement to constructive engagement because development would not take place in a state of strife and suspicion.
“The current NDDC board has the best of intentions to develop the region and achieve the mandate to which the commission was established,” he assured.
Amu-Nnadi said that NDDC board would meet and decide on the likely action to take on the investigative hearing.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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