Nigeria’s Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has named lawmakers who he alleged got contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NNDC).
The list was contained in a letter he sent to the National Assembly.
Recall that Akpabio during the House of Representatives Ad hoc committee probe had alleged that over sixty percent of the NDDC contract were given to members of the National Assembly, a statement he later recanted having made.
According to the letter, Akpabio listed Senator Peter Nwaoboshi’s name against 53 projects.
The projects included Emergency Repairs of Asue Street, Owa Phase 2; Emergency Repairs of ldumuogbe Road via Ojemaye; Emergency Repairs of Otolokpo College Road, Otolokpo; and Emergency Repairs of Police-lshu Ani Ukwu Road, Issele Uku.
Others included Emergency Repairs of old Sapele-Agbor Road, Obiaruku; Emergency Repairs of Ehwerhe-Obada Road; Agbarho Road; Emergency Repairs of Ifeanyi Eboigbe Street; Boji Boji Owa/Goodwill Street; Owa Alero; and Emergency Repairs of Ahiama Okwu to Obuocha Okwu among others.
Akpabio also listed Senator Nicholas Mutu’s name against 74 projects
The projects included various emergency road projects in Delta, Akwa Ibom, Bayela and Rivers States.
Other lawmakers that Akpabio alleged benefited from the contracts are Senator Mathew Urhoghide (six), James Manager (six), Sam Anyanwu (19) and others simply identified as Ondo and Edo Reps.
The letter by Akpabio was addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who had threatened to drag Akpabio before the court if he does not name the lawmakers that had benefitted from NDDC contracts.
Akpabio’s letter was also copied to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN).
The letter read in part: “May I extend to Mr Speaker the compliments of my office and those of the staff of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
“I refer to the resolution of the House passed on the 21st July 2020 and forwarded to me on the same day Ref. NASS/HR/LEG/3/36/VOL.ll/O8 directing me to respond to the contents therein within 48
“The investigating Committee on NDDC refused and/or neglected to give me the opportunity to explain that reference to most NDDC contracts yearly being awarded since 2001 from the records allegedly to members of the National Assembly in both Chambers were done without the knowledge of the alleged beneficiaries. However, the two Chairmen of the Committees in both Chambers had adequate knowledge;
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