The Niger Delta Development Commission has debunked social media reports that it was using funds meant for contractors to finance the campaigns of the Governorship campaigns of All Progressives. Congrats on the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

This was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by the Director of Corporate Affairs on NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, and sent to newsmen.

While insisting that the report is false, the interventionist agency said it was even more worrisome that the source of the alleged diversion of funds is unknown, describing it as a rumour and calling on members of the public to disregard the ‘fake news’.

The commissioner explained that it has a clear mandate to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region and make a difference in the lives of the people there, which the present board and management are determined to achieve, saying it neither sponsors political parties nor candidates contesting elections.

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The statement reads, “The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, is aware of reports circulating in the online media, claiming that the Commission is diverting funds intended for contractors to finance the Edo All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship campaign.

“Nothing can be farther from the truth. We are, therefore, constrained to respond to the false story about an imaginary diversion of NDDC funds. Curiously, the story was attributed to undisclosed sources from the rumour mill.

“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.

“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.

“We urge 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.”

In continued, “Responding to this reality, we engaged the KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system, as well as improve our 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 of the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the Commission.

“We are committed to working with all our 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.”