Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has reacted to the recent outburst by the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, where he declared the commission as a ‘cash cow organization’ instead of a development commission.
OsunDailyNG reports that on Monday, while speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the incumbent state governor, Siminialayi Fubara’s N195.3 billion Port Harcourt Ring Road – a 50.1km project in Port Harcort, Wike called for a review of the NDDC under the government of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the project, which spans six local government areas with six flyovers and one bridge, to be completed within 36 months, was supposed to have been executed by the NDDC.
Replying to the former governor in a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday, the NDDC said Wike’s labelling of the commission as a cash cow for siphoning set funds into private pockets is a criticism that challenges it to improve on meeting its objectives and not to join issues with the former Rivers State governor.
Managing Director of NDDC, Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission would not join issues with the former governor who he said had done well for the people of Rivers State.
“We will not join issues with former governor Nyesom Wike. He has done well for the people of Rivers State, especially in urban modernization.
“Rather, we are spurred by his copositively change the NDDC narrative positively.
“For the past six months, NDDC has been building a sustainable foundation to ensure we run on a smooth and right track.
“We are working to put in place a corporate governance system that will enable the Commission to run in accordance with global best practices.
“Once there is a corporate governance system, you cannot beat it. That means you must be subjected to the processes and procedures.
“That is the game changer for us. We want to regulate ourselves internally; that is why we must establish a system,” the statement reads.
On his part, National Coordinator South-South Elders Forum, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, maintained that Wike had no moral justification for judging the NDDC.
Wike Is the Kettle Calling Pot Black — Sara-Igbe
Meanwhile, the former Spokesman, Pan Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), Sarah-Igbe, slammed Wike, saying that the former governor cannot justify how he spent the 13% derivation Rivers State received during his time as governor.
Igbe accused Wike of trying to take the speck out of NDDC’s eye and not seeing the log in his own eyes.
He said: “He (Wike) is a case of kettle calling pot black. Wike was a governor for eight years, collecting 13% derivation. But as we speak, oil-producing communities in Rivers still live in squalor.
“He has not been able to develop those communities despite all the monies collected as governor.
“How dare he come to NDDC, another body saddled with the same responsibility of development in the region?”
