Trouble Brews As EFCC Probes NDDC’s Failed Contracts

By Akinwale Kasali

Anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is set to probe the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, for not executing paid contracts.

The EFCC, in a statement on Tuesday said the NDDC’s acting Managing Director, Professor Kemebradikumo Pondei, made the request that the anti graft agency should wade into the issue of contractors not executing projects despite receiving payment.

Pondei made this request during a courtesy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal office of the EFCC.

According to the statement, Professor Pondei requested the anti-graft agency’s assistance in looking at cases of contracts awarded and paid for, but were not executed. That, he said was necessary to curb the anomalies and Financial misappropriation in the NDDC.

“We have reports of projects awarded and paid for but not executed. There is need for us to work on these cases.

“Abandoned projects have become a source of distraction to the management.”

Professor Pondei who said he was at the commission to “establish good working relationship with the EFCC”,  urged the forensic auditors to interface with the agency.

The EFCC Zonal Head, Usman Imam, described the visit by the NDDC team as remarkable, noting that it will go a long way in helping to bridge whatever gaps existed between the agencies.

“I want to assure you that the commission is willing to support you through the investigation of any alleged case of fraud. What we require from you is willingness to share information and trust in our ability to handle such cases with dispatch,” he added.

It woud be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had also ordered the forensic audit of the operations of the agency between 2001 and 2019.