Breaking: NDDC’s Acting Director Of Finance, Ibanga Bassey Etang, Dies

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May 28, 2020

By Akinwale Kasali

A few days to the National Assembly’s probe on the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, the Acting Executive Director of Finance and Administration, of the Commission, Ibanga Bassey Etang, has died .

Etang died Thursday morning.

His death has been dogged by a number of speculations. Nobody knows which one to believe, as to the cause of his sudden passing.

A source told the magazine that he was poisoned and his poisoning may have been carried out by a desperate party to cover up some untidy businesses at the Commission.

For emphasis, the source reminded that basically the duty of the Executive Director Finance and Administration is to approve payments for contracts, and he may have been killed to cover up documents that may expose unwholesome businesses.

Another source within the NDDC fold told the magazine that the senior official died on Wednesday night after a brief but undisclosed illness, quashing reports that he died today.

Yet, another source insists he may have died of COVID-19, an insistence vehemently denied by some associates.

The late Etang is reported to have been absent from work at the Commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt throughout the week.

He was also conspicuously absent during the flag-off of the distribution of corona-virus palliatives by the NDDC on the 22nd of May

Etang died when his services were needed most at the Commission. The NDDC is undergoing a Forensic Audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The National Assembly is also insisting on probing the finances of the Commission under the IMC, over an alleged missing/ mismanaged/ misappropriated N40b.

The IMC dismisses the allegation as a huge joke.

Etang’s body has been wheeled to the ‘Holding Area’, called ‘COVID-19 Area’, of Braithwaite Memorial Hospital, Port Harcourt.

An autopsy is expected to be performed on his body to determine the cause of death.

Alleged N40 Billion NDDC Fraud: Senate To Probe Akpabio, Says Blackmail Won’t Stop Probe

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The Source

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May 28, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

Senator Godswill Akpabio, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, is in the eye of the storm. The Senate says it is going to probe him. The Senate says Akoabio is blackmailing it, but has sworn it would go ahead with the probe, and that blackmail cuts no ice with it, or its work.

The former Akwa Ibom State Governor is angry with the Senate for daring to investigate the whopping N40 billion Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, fund that allegedly disappeared into thin air within a few months.

The Senate in its reaction to allegations of witch-hunting levelled against the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly declared that no amount of blackmail would deter their investigations.

This is as it fingered the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Akpabio as fuelling the crisis between the National Assembly and the NDDC.

Addressing journalists on the festering crisis, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi ( PDP Delta North), said all allegations levelled against the National Assembly by the Acting Managing Director of the Commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei and the ones personally directed at him by the Executive Director, Project, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, were nothing but mere fabrications.

While the Acting Managing Director of NDDC, in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday alleged amongst other things that the National Assembly inserted over 500 projects into the 2019 budget of the agency and is arm- twisting the IMC from carrying out a forensic audit as directed by President Buhari. Cairo Ojougboh also alleged among other things that some Senators got over 1000 contracts from the NDDC.

Pondei further claimed that the “overbearing stranglehold” of the National Assembly panels was responsible for the delay in the passage of the 2019 budget in March 2020.

He said the reason the NDDC applied to the National Assembly for the virement of its 2019 budget was “because the Commission only got the letter of approval of the budget on March 20, 2020, after the NDDC was coerced by some lawmakers to pay 20 contractors.”

But in his reaction to all the allegations at a media briefing in his office, Senator Nwaoboshi said the ongoing probe exercise on finances of the Commission by both Chambers of the National Assembly, triggered the open media attacks against the National Assembly by the IMC.

He said: ”We are responding to the allegations of the IMC to correct the misrepresentation. If they claim that some 1000 jobs were given to any Senator, we challenge the IMC members to compile the list of these contractors and publish them.

“Also, the EFCC, Police or ICPC should be reached to investigate those claims instead of blackmailing anybody”

Vowing that both the Senate and the House of Representatives Committees would forge ahead with their separate investigations, Nwaoboshi said: ” What we are seeing is a case of a man sent to catch the thief but instead of catching the thief, he starts stealing too.

“If members of the IMC know that their hands are clean, they don’t need to panic or resort to blackmail which would not in any way deter the already mandated investigative committees of the National Assembly from carrying out their legitimate assignments.

“Their lies have short legs and unfortunately cannot run fast or fly. IMC must be ready to submit itself for a thorough investigation by committees already assigned for that by both Chambers of the National Assembly.

“The allegations of Balkanisation of the budget just came because the IMC members were asked to appear before the Ad Hoc-committee to answer questions.

“The National Assembly has the right to appropriate and carry out oversight functions on the Niger Delta Ministry, and the NDDC. So, no amount of intimidation or blackmail will stop us”, he said.

The committee also explained that the National Assembly refused to treat the request to amend the 2019 budget of the NDDC because there was a breach of the procedure for requesting a budget amendment or virulent.

“If the President sends it, we will consider it. As it stands, there is nothing before the National Assembly” the committee insisted.

Senator Nwaoboshi disclosed at the press briefing that despite being a former colleague, he had deleted the number of the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio from his phone for allegedly fuelling the crisis between NDDC and the National Assembly.

According to him, Akpabio, as a member of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs over- sighting the NDDC, in 2017 alone, requested for 500 million worth of projects to be captured in the agencies capital votes for the fiscal year and now surreptitiously instigating IMC members of the agency against the National Assembly.

Breaking: Eleven States Get New CPs; Nwachukwu Enwonwu Takes Charge Of Oyo

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The Source

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May 28, 2020

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Eleven State Police Commands, including Oyo, Edo and Ebonyi have new Commissioners of Police to man them.

A release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba said that the Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A. Adamu, on Thursday, ordered the immediate posting/redeployment of the Commissioners of Police to Commands/Formations.

To head the Oyo State Police Command is CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu.

The new postings are as follows;

*Osun State: CP Undie J. Adie

*Edo State :CP Johnson Babatunde Kokumo, mni

*Bauchi State: CP Lawal Jimeta Tanko

*Ebonyi State: CP Philip Sule Maku, fdc

*Gombe State: CP Ahmed Maikudi Shehu

Ondo State: CP Bolaji Amidu Salami

Oyo State : CP Joe Nwachukwu Enwonwu

Eastern Port : CP Evelyn T. Peterside

EOD: CP Okon Etim Ene, fdc

Airport Command: CP Bello Maikwashi

Anti-Fraud Unit (FCID Annex Lagos): CP Olukolu Tairu Shina

The IGP charged the newly posted officers to ensure they consolidate and advance the gains of their predecessors, particularly, in the implementation of community-policing, crime prevention, public security, public safety and general crime fighting.

He, also, enjoined the citizens of the affected states to cooperate with the Commissioners of Police to enable them succeed in their new areas of responsibilities.

Uproar, As NCAA Recommends Face Masks Throughout Long Haul Flights

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Uche Mbah

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May 28, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

To help contain the ravaging coronavirus in the country and beyond and follow international protocol on the issue, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has reeled out guidelines on both international and local flights as the country prepares for the resumption of Flights after weeks of lockdown.

The Pandemic has adversely affected the Aviation industry as most airlines were grounded by executive fiat, apart from specially approved flights.

In a directive issued by the Agency with reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/120, dated May 27, issued by its Director-General, Captain Musa Nuhu, in Lagos Thursday to all operators airports and other service providers, the Agency said the flight crew must wear masks throughout all flights.

“The new protocol will ensure orientation and sensitization of crew on Infection, Prevention and Control (IPC) measures as per training and guidance from public health authorities”, he said, adding that it should;

“Ensure they have adequate stock of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), minimum of 70 per cent alcohol-based hand sanitizer and Universal Precaution Kits (UPK) onboard aircraft before the flight;

“Ensure flight crew wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and observe IPC measures for the duration of the flight as follows:

“Regarding the Flight deck Crew: Non-medical face masks and gloves. Face masks can be removed when the cockpit door is closed for safety reasons.

“Cabin crew – Non-medical face masks, gloves, disposal surgical gowns and safety visors/goggles must be used during flight operation.

“They must ensure the safe removal of gloves after performing specific tasks and they should avoid touching their face and eyes with unclean hands.

“Flight the crew are to ensure that all passengers wear a non-medical face mask for the duration of the flight except when eating or using emergency oxygen.

“Flight crew are to ensure that passengers rub their hands with alcohol-based sanitizer as they embark on the aircraft.”

According to the release, the current protocol replaces the old one where crew members are quarantined for fourteen days after arrival. the crew, however, are expected to undergo COVID tests every fourteen days after arrival. Apart from that, airlines should always carry augmented crew for emergency sake.

Ogun PDP: Kashamu, Adebutu Money Politics Worsens

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Bayo Bernard

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May 28, 2020

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By Fola James

Senator Buruji Kashamu, formerly representing Ogun East in the Senate seems to have found his match in Ladi Adebutu in the quest to monetize the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the gateway state, Ogun.

Kashamu has been one of the biggest financier of the party since he returned from the United states of America, where he currently has a money laundry allegation hanging on his neck.

The situation has since changed when Adebutu joined the PDP.

Few years down the line the bulky Senator has cried out that some money bags led by Adebutu are trying to control the soul of the party, with money at the heart of it.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kashamu said the PDP chairman in the state, Bayo Dayo has collected a whopping sum of N100 million from his arch-rival and has sold the party structure to Adebutu.

He said that is why any plan of reconciliation in Ogun PD has so far failed to yield result.

According to him, the chairman of the party in the state has betrayed the PDP because of pecuniary gain and “This explains why about four weeks to the end of his second term as State Chairman, Dayo decided to betray those he had led for eight years and purportedly sold 65% of the party structure to Hon. Ladi Adebutu (a.k.a Lado) for N100 million through a shady reconciliation arrangement.

He kept the remaining 35% for himself. It is this selfish and lopsided sharing ratio that they want to use to set up an imaginary caretaker committee. This is the same group that signed a three-year agreement with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) on the 7th of March, 2019. The agreement is still valid till 2022 as it has not renounced to date”.

How can an individual trade-off a structure that has taken people huge resources and many years to build because he is a Party Chairman? Can Sikirulai Ogundele, who is on the other side, enter into any agreement or negotiation with anyone without carrying along with Hon. Ladi Adebutu and other stakeholders?”

He said the PDP state chairman is planning to share the alleged booty to other party members that may want to resist their plan.

He said “In his bid to take with him as many unsuspecting leaders and members of the Party, Dayo told them that he was given N100 million”.

One of those he confided in and tried to convince to join him in the venture is Samuel Olayinka Soneye.

In his statement to the Police and sworn affidavit in court, Soneye said Dayo told him that Ladi Adebutu offered him N100 million to trade off the PDP structure in Ogun State.

Dayo informed the former Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Comrade Abayomi Arabambi that Adebutu offered him the sum of N100 million with an upfront payment of N20 million”.

He also told Mr. Adeleke Shittu, who is his cousin, at various times that he was offered N100 million to do the bidding of the Adebutus under the pretext of uniting the party.

A serving member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Sylvester ‘Niyi Abiodun, who is also related to him, confirmed that Dayo told that he was offered N100 million.

Furthermore, Dayo’s successor, Hon. Samson Bamgbose corroborated the above witnesses’ statements and added that he was offered some dollars which Dayo told him amounted to N10 million @ N400 per dollar”.

Kashamu said the police has swung into action and are trying to get to the bottom of the alleged bribery.

According to him “All these witnesses have voluntarily made statements to the Police and deposed to affidavits affirming the above-stated facts.

To confirm Dayo’s perfidious inclination, the Adebutus now pay his bills, just as they have bought him vehicles and illegally given him three police escorts. This was after the Ogun State Police Command refused Dayo’s application for police escorts”.

Edo: Obaseki Throws Hat In the Ring, Buys Gov. Form

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Bayo Bernard

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May 28, 2020

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By Bayo Bernard

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo state is not the type to succumb easily to his foes. As he has shown his never-die spirit in his battle with his estranged godfather and predecessor, Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC

Thus barely 24 hours after a faction led by the National Chairman of the APC picked Pastor Ize-Iyamu as the consensus governorship candidate of the party, the Edo helmsman has upped the ante by purchasing the APC governorship form.

An Abuja-based group, Obaseki Mandate Forum, FCT has purchased the N22.5 million forms for the governor on Thursday, after it insisted that the embattled governor will contest the September governorship election in the state.

With the choice of Ize-Iyamu, a former PDP governorship candidate, the plot to stop Obaseki who’s currently in a frosty relationship with the APC chairman, from returning to office, is considered a fait accompli by some analyst.

The ex-PDP candidate said in Abuja on Wednesday after his election that he would beat the incumbent in any primaries conducted by the party.

But the embattled governor seems not deterred that he has been abandoned by his party, his decision to purchase the nomination form, watchers of the state’s politics say, is an indication that he’s in the race.

While purchasing the form on Wednesday, barely few hours after some APC leaders picked Ize-Iyamu, the chairman of the Mandate group, Nathaniel Momoh, said the will of the people of the state will prevail at the end.

He said Edo people will resist any plot to impose any candidate on them, insisting that his people have spoken with one voice and have decided to entrust their mandate in the hardworking incumbent governor to continue with his developmental strides.

Momoh said “If almost all previous Governors of the State have enjoyed a second term, some of them, despite their not too impressive performance in office, it will be a travesty of justice, a mockery of equity and fairness to deny a man whose tenure has touched every community in the state.

For us therefore, it is a momentous event as loyal party members, and lovers of good governance to join the moving train to deliver His Excellency, Governor, Godwin Obaseki on this four plus four (4 + 4) project.

The FCT said the Governor Obaseki governorship project is one that has the backing of the common people and so will no fail despite plans by some enemies of the state to truncate it.

As a result, the group said “The choice of Obaseki is not just an APC project as I have just mentioned.

It is also the project of the market woman in Uselu Market, the Trader in Aviele, Council of Chiefs in Ososo, the 18 years and above student in Owan, the fruit trader in Iruekpen, that meat seller in Agenebode, that palmwine tapper in Esan, the cassava farmer in Ikpeshi, and many others who stood solidly behind His Excellency.”

Meanwhile, the magazine learnt that some APC governors stood up for their Edo counterpart and are working on the modality where the governor and Ize-Iyamu will participate in the party primaries coming up later next month” whoever emerge from the process, will be our candidate,” a close associate of one of the governors said on Thursday.

An Ongoing Massacre In Southern Kaduna Claims 107, Says Group

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Uche Mbah

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May 28, 2020

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By Uche Mbah

No fewer than 107 persons may have been killed in Adara Community of Sothern Kaduna this year alone.

Within the same period under review, 49people were injured, about 66 persons kidnapped, 111 houses burnt, 32 villages destroyed and about 20,000 displaced.

This comes from a statement issued by the Adara Development Association, ADA, recently. The statement, signed by the National President, Awemi Dio Maisamari, lamented the daily attacks on the area that promises not to abait.

“From January to 22/5/2020, the killings, maiming, burning, looting and kidnappings have continued unabated from village to village. Within the period, there have been 63 terrorist attack and kidnapping incidents, more than 107people killed, about 49persons injured, more than 66men/women/girls abducted for ransom, more than 111houses burnt, another whole 32villages destroyed and 20,000persons displaced (especially in the last two weeks),” he said.

“There have been daily attacks and destruction from Monday to Thursday in the remote settlements of Magunguna, Idazo, Ungwan Galadima, Ungwan Guza, Etissi, Ungwan Maaji, Ungwan Dantata, Ungwan Araha 1 & 2, Ungwan Goshi, Ungwan Shaban, Ungwan Jibo, Ungwan Maijamaa, Ungwan Sako, Ungwan Maidoki and Ungwan Masaba. These are all satellite settlements of Kallah, Libere and Gefe towns. As at this afternoon, 20 persons have been killed, several others were injured or missing,

“We simply lack the words to properly describe the atmosphere of anarchy and despair that is fast taking root in our communities with women, children, the sick and the elderly fleeing with the little belongings they can salvage. Our brutalized, dehumanized, terrified and traumatized community members are reeling in pains, ever wondering why this contrived anarchy is still being condoned by the powers that be.

“We have since realized that the usual silence of government when most of these atrocities are being committed actually means consent. Consequently, several occupiers of high public offices have in unison spewed out rationalizations and justifications why mayhem is and must be visited on our timid people.

“There are abundant facts to show that Fulani terrorists have for long been on the offensive in Adara land just as they have been nationwide. We have a detailed (though incomplete) chronicle of Fulani terrorist activities in Adara land.

“Our records show that from 2016 to date, more than 209 terrorist incidents and attacks have occurred. In these incidents, almost 722 lives were lost, 198 persons were injured, 231 persons were abducted or detained and millions of Naira was paid as ransom. There were also more than 817houses (in addition about 38 whole villages) destroyed, unquantified properties were destroyed and 30,000 persons displaced to date.”

Kaduna has been a hotbed of attacks between natives and bandits, with many giving it a religious and ethnic slant.

CNPP Demands That Lawan, Gbajabiamila Step Down For Probe; Urges Buhari to Investigate NASS Members Over Forced Vaccination Bill

By

The Source

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May 27, 2020

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The Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to institute a thorough investigation of circumstances surrounding the introduction of the Infectious Diseases Bill otherwise known as Forced Vaccination Bill over new fingers pointing at Bill Gates, strengthening the argument of those accusing the National Assembly of receiving financial inducement to pass the bill.

Expressing its preparedness to align with all forces of pro-democracy and civil society groups to ensure that the sponsors of the bill were probed, the CNPP demanded that the Speaker of House of Representatives and the President of the Senate immediately step aside to pave way for unhindered investigation.

The CNPP’s Secretary General in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja recalled how an Italian parliamentarian, Sara Cunial in her address at parliament earlier this month implied that Mr Gates should face charges at the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity for consistently championing the compulsory vaccination against COVID-19.

According to the umbrella body of all registered political parties and political associations in Nigeria, “it is not for nothing after all that the opposition group, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) accused the some members of the National Assembly (NASS) of taking bride to push through the planned compulsory immunisation law.

“Recent reports have revealed that Bill Gates, already in 2018, predicted a pandemic, simulated in October 2019 at the “Event 201”, together with Davos (Switzerland).
“Bill Gates was quoted as saying that ‘If we do a good job on vaccines, health and reproduction, we can reduce the world population by 10-15%. Only a genocide can save the world’, raising more suspicion about the intended purpose of his vaccine.

“In her conclusion, the Italian parliamentarian, Cunial, told the President of parliament, “I ask you, President, to be the spokesperson and give an advice to our President Conte: Dear Mr. President Conte, next time you receive a phone call from the philanthropist Bill Gates forward it directly to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity. If you won’t do this, tell us how we should define you, the “friend lawyer” who takes orders from a criminal”, we quote.

“For want of space, we cannot tell how a polio epidemic which paralyzed 500,000 children in India was linked to the Gates. But the implication of these finger pointing is that there could be more that meets the eyes in the Infectious Disease Bill.

“This has to be openly investigated in a transparent manner to unravel the circumstances surrounding the hurry with which lawmakers pushed to pass the Bill that will force citizens to be vaccinated against their will.
“We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to use his good office to institute a public inquiry on how the lawmakers opted to enact a law for forceful vaccination of Nigerians.
”It will be proper for both the Speaker and the President of the Senate to step down immediately to pave the way for transparent investigation of the allegation of bribery against the lawmakers”, the CNPP demanded.

Edo Guber: Obaseki Loses Out, APC Choses Ize-Iyamu

By

Bayo Bernard

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May 27, 2020

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By Fola James

Governor Godwin Obaseki quest to be the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC has come to an abrupt end.

The party has elected Pastor Osagie-Ize Iyamu as the consensus candidate of the party.

Ize-Iyamu is an ally of APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who had vowed that he will ensure that Obaseki is not re-elected for another four- year term as Edo helmsman.

Details later…….

NDDC: Corruption Reigns, As 500 Fake Projects Are Unraveled; Nigerians Ask For More

By

The Source

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May 27, 2020

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Forensic Audit ordered to be carried at the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, by President Muhammadu Buhari has exposed series of corruption which have wreaked the Commission over the years.

The Acting Managing Director of the NDDC, Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei, made the revelation, exposing the inflation of the Commission’s 2019 budget, with over 500 non-existing projects.

Pondei made the disclosure on Tuesday while addressing newsmen in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He was making clarifications on allegations of corruption levelled against the Interim Management Committee, IMC, inaugurated by the President Buhari administration, supervised by the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio.

Pondei said that billions of Naira were appropriated for the non-existing projects, which were siphoned, embezzled and/or mismanaged by the NDDC Board.

He said the interim management committee made the discovery while investigating the 2019 appropriation of the commission.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2019 ordered a forensic audit of NDDC finances which took effect on April 22, 2020.

According to the acting managing director, the NDDC 2019 budget will terminate on May 31 without any project executed in the region during the fiscal year.

“We discovered that after NDDC forwarded its budget to the National Assembly Committees on NDDC, what was sent back to the commission was no longer recognisable.

“The 2019 budget was classically over padded, with almost 500 new projects inserted to it when it was sent back to us.

“We found out the budget appropriation was done in such a way that meaningful projects were allocated very little sums of money.

“It is unfortunate that the 2019 budget will expire on May 31 without any project executed in the region. It was passed two months to the end of its implementation period.

“It is worrying that rather than being a major intervention agency, the commission has been reduced to erecting street lights and constructing drainages, something local governments should do,” he said.

Pondei described as false the allegations by some groups that the IMC misappropriated billions meant for the development of the Niger Delta, saying it was basically a way to discredit the efforts of the IMC over the period they came to the saddle.

He said the allegations were the handiwork of people and groups who were afraid that the ongoing forensic audit would reveal their corrupt dealings with past NDDC managements.

Pondei added that the ongoing probe by the national assembly committees on NDDC was meant to arm-twist and force the IMC to tamper with the forensic audit.

“We have faced so much pressure from some members of the National Assembly not to send certain files to forensic auditors. We refused because we fear this will compromise the process.

“Similarly, we have also faced pressure to pay for 132 jobs which have no proof of execution as well as pay out N6.4 billion for those jobs.

“We believe that an IMC set up as a cleansing structure cannot become part of an old story of rot,” he said.

The Acting Managing Director stressed that the IMC was committed to breaking the stranglehold on the commission by some politicians who had turned NDDC to their cash cows.

He gave the assurance that IMC was fully focused on delivering President Buhari’s forensic audit of the NDDC finances before the expiration of the committee’s in December.

But Nigerians, angry over the allegations and counter allegations between the NASS and the NDDC IMC , have asked the IMC to make public the names of those putting it under pressure to pay for fictitious projects. They say it is only by so doing that the truth will come out.