Akpabio Denies Saying Lawmakers Got 60 Percent of NDDC Contracts

The Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has denied saying members of the National Assembly collect 60 percent of the contracts at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The minister was the topic of discussion when he accused the lawmakers of collecting 60 percent of the commission.

Akpabio replied the 48 hours ultimatum given to him by the house in a letter read on the floor of the House during Plenary by the Speaker on Thursday.  The former Akwa Ibom governor said the only reference he made to 60 percent during his presentation before the NDDC committee on Monday was in response to a question by a member of the committee.

Akapabio further explained that the committee member had sought to know whether a Medical Director can serve as an Executive Director Project, which he responded by saying that since 50 to 60 percent of NDDC contracts were medical-related.

READ: Latest Update on COVID-19 Nigeria

From a list of 19 owed contracts, forwarded to him by the Executive Director Project of the NDDC also alleged that Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC insisted that the contracts must be paid before the 2020 budget of the commission is passed.

He also said that the NDDC is yet to execute any contract under the 2020 budget since it has not been passed, while the 2019 budget was passed in April and has not been implemented

The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, however, referred the letter to the House Committee on Ethics and Privileges.