Akpabio Denies Accusing NASS Of Cornering 60% NDDC Contract |The Source

By Adesina Soyooye

Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has denied saying that 60% of NDDC Contracts were given to National Assembly members.

Akpabio had ruffled feathers while testifying before the House Committee Ad Hoc Committee, investigating corruption allegations at the NDDC, when he said that most contracts at the NDDC were awarded to NASS members.

Angered and embarrassed by the allegation, Speaker of the House, the Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, had given the Minister a 48-hour notice to publish the list of the NASS members who had collected contracts.

The ultimatum expired Thursday. Akpabio published no list. Instead,    he sent a letter to the Speaker denying he said 60 % of contracts were awarded to NASS members.

He explained that the only time he mentioned 60% was when an Honourable member asked why a medical doctor, Cairo Ojougbo was appointed an Executive Director for Projects. He said he told them that 60% of the problem in the Niger Delta was medical-related.

Many, including this magazine, confirm that Akpabio never attributed any percentage to the contracts awarded NASS members. What he said was that most of the Contracts were awarded to them.

However, the Speaker, in fulfilment of  his threat, has instructed the Clerk to begin a legal process against Akpabio.

The grounds: lying on oath and defamation of character.