Our funds are not for political campaigns, says NDDC

 

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria – The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC has said that funds approved for the commission are not used for political campaigns contrary to allegations in some online media platforms.

In a statement, Director Corporate Affairs in the NDDC, Mrs. Seledi Thompson-Nwakama said   reports circulating in online media, claiming that the commission is diverting funds intended for contractors to finance the Edo All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship campaign is far from the truth.

She described the story as an illusion,  fabricated to assault the rising profile of the commission.

“To set the records straight, NDDC does not sponsor political parties or candidates contesting in elections at any level of government. Our mandate is to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region”, she said, adding “the Board and Management of the NDDC is now more than ever determined to uphold its mantra, which is: “Making a Difference,” in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region”.

The NDDC called on members of the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations being introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

“We are fully aware of an increasing need to be seen to be more accountable to the public and to conduct our affairs in a more transparent manner”, the spokesperson of the commission said.

For the purpose of  transparency, she said the  NDDC  engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen its corporate governance system, as well as improve  internal processes and institutional protocols.

“They have helped us to establish a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance. As part of this control mechanism, we recently held a meeting with members the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the commission, the image maker of the commission said.

She affirmed that  the commission is committed to working with all stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, “to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.”

“We assure our stakeholders and members of the public that the NDDC Board and Management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region”, the NDDC said.