Rivers

Group Wants Probe Of Alleged Unaccounted NDDC Fund

Published

5 years ago

February 12, 2021

The Civil Society Coalition on Audit in Nigeria (CSCAN) on Tuesday asked the Public Accounts Committees of the National Assembly and anti-corruption agencies to investigate 176 contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) between 2008 and 2018.
It said that N90.9 billion which was a part of the contracts’ budget had yet to be accounted for.
CSCAN comprises Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), BudgIT Foundation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Dataphyte, Step Up Nigeria, Accountability Lab, Centre for Health, Equity and Justice (CEHEJ), Basic Rights Watch, Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and some media executives in the country
PLSI Executive Director, Olusegun Elemo; BudgIT’s Deputy Manager, Tolutope Agunloye and Country Director, Accountability Lab, Friday Odeh, spoke for the coalition during a news conference.
Elemo stated that based on data from 2008-2012 and 2013-2018 Audit Report on NDDC, it was obvious that the N90.9bn was yet to be accounted.
He added many of the projects had been physically verified while many were abandoned, some were poorly implemented and others not executed at all.
According to him, a review and analysis of available data by the coalition and ground assessment of project sites conducted revealed how wasteful and insensitive the NDDC had been managing resources belonging to Niger Delta people.
Elemo said: “We have visited many of the project sites, we have pictorial evidence, we have identified the companies involved as well as beneficial ownership details.
“All we are asking the National Assembly Public Accounts Committees, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to do is take a professional, detailed and investigative look at this evidence and recover the funds.
“There can be no other explanation to what has happened at NDDC between 2008 and 2018 than the fact that those entrusted to manage the commonwealth of the Niger Delta people had intentionally deprived them of the much-deserved development.”
Elemo, therefore, urged the two chairmen of committees on Public Accounts in the National Assembly, Senator Matthew Urhoghide and Oluwole Oke as well as the leadership of ICPC and EFCC to ensure that justice was served to the people of Niger Delta and by extension Nigerians.
Agunloye of BudgIT noted that over N500 billion was earmarked as statutory allocation to improve the development of the region between 2008 and 2018.
He lamented that the current state of some communities in the region was not representative of the allocation.
His words: “To execute its projects and programmes, NDDC receives annual statutory allocations from the country’s federal government and an annual levy of three per cent of the total annual budget of oil companies in the country.
“It also receives grants and other forms of support from International Development Agencies.
“However, despite the expenditure of approximately $40 billion on capital projects by the NDDC since its inception, the commission has failed to realise its 15-year master plan for the rapid development of the region.”
Odeh of Accountability Lab said: “Only a modern audit law can help Nigeria effectively prevent corrupt behaviour such as seen with the NDDC in recent years”.

City Crime

Health Commissioner Extols Fubara’s Commitment To Community Healthcare Delivery

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has praised the State Governor, Siminalaye Fubara, for his commitment to community healthcare delivery in the state.

Dr. Oreh said this shortly after receiving an award of Excellence on behalf of the Governor from the Rivers State Hospital Management Board at a thanksgiving service, sendforth and award ceremony in Port Harcourt.

The Health Commissioner said the Governor is not only committed to transforming the health sector, but fiercely protecting the interest of Rivers State people.

She said it was against this background that the Governor is working hard to ensure quality healthcare for all rural communities in the state.

According to the Commissioner, “it is this protectiveness that makes him to standup for the people of Rivers State.

“It is this protectiveness and acknowledgement that health is first wealth, that makes him to give necessary attention to the health sector.”

Dr. Oreh also praised past and present Chief Medical Directors of the Board for their efforts in keeping Secondary health care institutions in the state afloat despite various challenges.

The Commissioner also commended the current Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Bright Ogbonda, for his competence and dedication to service, adding that she was particularly delighted that the current CMD has adopted an innovative approach to accomplish so much in the Board.

She promised to continuously stand as an advocate for the Board and push for improvement in the conditions of health care workers across the state.

Earlier the Chief Medical Director of the Board, Dr. Ogbonda, commended the State Governor for reforming the secondary health sector, stressing that within the last two years, the Governor has carried out massive reconstruction of General Hospitals across the state and constructed of the Neuro psychiatric hospital at Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt.

He also commended the Governor for employing over 2,000 health workers and ensuring prompt payment of salaries and allowances of newly employed health workers in the state.

Ogbonda said the gesture by the Governor has made the Board the envy of other boards and parastatals in the state.

He also attributed the success recorded so far by the Board to the effort of past CMDs, Directors and staff who laid a solid foundation for the growth and development of the Board.

The occasion featured the presentation of awards of Excellence to the Governor, the Commissioner for Health, and all former CMDs of the Board.

Other awards include, award for best performing hospitals in the state in which General Hospital, Ogu, emerged first, seconded by both civil servants clinic and Zonal Hospital, Bori, while third place went to General Hospital, Eleme.

For the best performing Medical Directors, the first position went to the Doctor incharge of Okrika General Hospital, while first and second runners up went to Dr. Mina Ikuru of Civil Servants Clinic and Dr. Okere of Eleme General Hospital.

The occasion also featured the unveiling of the third edition of Health Spring Magazine by the Board.

John Bibor

Rivers

Groups Seek Enforcement Of Protective Laws For PWDs

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, and the Joint National Association of Persons With Disabilities, an umbrella organisation for Persons with Disability (PWDs) in Rivers State, have called for the enforcement of various laws that protect persons with disabilities.

They said this will guarantee public sector participation, implementation of target welfare policies on the part of the government, and public awareness on their responsibilities.

Leader of the PWDs in Rivers State, Kie Obomanu, made the call while speaking during a recent rally and public enlightenment/advocacy campaign on the basic needs and reasons it has become necessary for the public to know their obligation to Persons with Disabilities.

He said the purpose of the rally is to stop discrimination and stigmatisation against persons with disabilities, and at the same time calling for criminalization and redress of such practice

Obomanu also used the opportunity to commend the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), a non-governmental Organisation known for its inclusive peace-building and economic development interventions, for funding the programme.

He encouraged PIND not to relent in its efforts of providing the platform for escalating advocacies and public enlightenment programmes, and for PIND to remain relentless and steadfast in its pursuit for the establishment of an egalitarian society where inclusivity is the watchword and humanitarian purposes are achieved.

Obomanu called on individuals, groups, corporate organizations and government at all levels to enhance the opportunity for persons with disabilities, most especially, provision of jobs for them.

In the same vein, the representative of Amaclare Connect and Development Initiative, Mrs. Doris Onyinye Igweh, emphasised the need for continuous synergy between development partners and the community of PWDs to ensure rapid economic development policies for them.

She also asked for critical interventions in key areas, such as education, health, information/communication, employment, and community-based initiatives.

In the various speeches of the participants, some of them expressed the pain and experience they have gone through as a result of their conditions.

Those who spoke during the programme include Esther Wahu, John Obaye, Godswill Chibuzor, and Moses Gozi, who presented wonderful rendition of gospel songs.

The Tide’s source reports that a greater number of PWDs are educated in various fields, but without jobs.

Rivers

Eze Gbakagbaka Commends Gov on Radio Rivers’ Transformation, Peaceful Governance

Published

1 day ago

January 23, 2026

The Tide

The Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, Nyerisi Eli Woji, His Majesty, Prof. Leslie N. Eke, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for what he described as the Governor’s “purposeful governance” reflected in the recent transformation of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation (RSBC), popularly known as Radio Rivers.

Eze Eke gave the commendation when he spoke in an interview with newsmen at his palace in Woji Community, Obio Akpor Local Government Area.

The revered monarch noted that the station’s acquisition of an operational Outside Broadcast (OB) van, a new studio complex and improved, steady power supply marked a significant milestone in public broadcasting in the state, describing the development as timely and impactful.

According to him, the improvements at Radio Rivers have enhanced the station’s capacity to serve as a credible platform for information dissemination, public enlightenment and civic engagement, particularly in a diverse and politically sensitive state like Rivers.

He said the feat underscored Governor Fubara’s commitment to strengthening public institutions and investing in infrastructure that promotes transparency, accountability and inclusive governance, adding that a functional state-owned broadcast outfit remains vital to democratic growth.

The Eze Gbakagbaka, who is the incumbent Chairman, Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, further lauded the governor’s attention to issues of good governance, stressing that effective leadership must prioritize institutional stability, service delivery and the welfare of the people, rather than personal or sectional interests.

Eze Eke, who is also the President, Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria (AOCTRON), further commended the Governor for sustaining peace across the state, noting that the prevailing atmosphere of calm has enabled government policies and development programmes to take root, while fostering unity among the various ethnic nationalities.

He urged stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the media and civil society, to support the administration’s efforts by promoting dialogue, responsible reportage and community-based peacebuilding initiatives.

The monarch reaffirmed the support of his Kingdom for policies and programmes aimed at consolidating peace and accelerating development in Rivers State, while calling on the government to sustain the tempo of reforms for the overall benefit of the people.

King Onunwor