How We Spent COVID-19 Palliative Funds -NDDC

The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, dismissed as baseless, the claim that the Expanded Interim Management Committee, EIMC, embezzled the N6.25 billion fund approved for the procurement and distribution of COVID-19 palliatives to underprivileged Niger Deltans.
Erstwhile Chairman of NDDC COVID-19 Palliatives Distribution Committee, High Chief SobomaboJackrich, had alleged in a petition to the National Assembly that the N6.25 billion fund was misappropriated.
Director, Corporate Affairs, NDDC, Mr. Charles Odili, in a statement, yesterday, said the Commission did not work with Jackrich’s committee after it was constituted because state governors rejected the committee.
Odili stated: “High Chief Jackrich approached the Commission to work with it in different ways. He was then chosen to oversee the Committee involved in the distribution of the COVID-19 Palliatives to communities in the Niger Delta. The Committee was put in place to ensure transparency in the process.”
“Immediately the constitution of this committee was announced, some of the state governors reached out to the Commission that they would have nothing to do with it. Instead, they demanded that the palliatives meant for their states be given to them.