Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Monday called for a probe into the utilisation of the N20bn emergency funds allegedly expended by the Niger Delta Development Commission on Projects in the state in the last six months.
Obaseki, peeved by the shoddy state of projects by the NDDC, also stated that the state government was exploring the option of suing contractors handling the commission’s projects for delivering sub-standard jobs, which he said caused flooding in parts of the state, Punch reports.
The governor said this while receiving the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee on abandoned NDDC projects in the state, in Benin City, the state capital.
Obaseki noted that the state government would stop the NDDC contractors from executing sub-standard projects as there was a need for synergy between the state government and the NDDC in delivering quality projects.
The governor stated, “This kind of action is embarrassing to our administration and causing us political problems as our citizens are confused about the roads we are constructing and the sub-standard roads executed by the NDDC contractors.”
“I have instructed the state’s Solicitor-General to begin the process of taking legal action against the NDDC contractors, who execute sub-standard work in the state, particularly the contractor who handled the project on Apostolic Street, off Sokponba road, which led to flooding in the area. We will blacklist them.
“I am surprised that the NDDC management is here. I invited them months ago when I received complaints about the quality of work done by their contractors but they ignored the invite.
There is no need having the NDDC in the state when they have total disregard for the state government.”
He said the interim management of the NDDC claimed that N256bn was spent on emergency project work, out of which N20bn was spent in Edo State in the last six months.
Obaseki said, “A year ago, barely 10 per cent of the NDDC budget for Edo State was implemented. The immediate past interim management team of the NDDC needs to come and show us how they spent N20bn in the state.
“Beyond what the House Committee is doing, there must be a judicial enquiry into the activities of the NDDC. People must go to jail for their corrupt acts. The 13 per cent derivation fund collected from oil-producing communities that was supposed to be used for the development of the region has not been spent by the NDDC.
“We have registered our displeasure on the NDDC projects in Edo State and contest the claims of their spending N20bn in the state for emergency work. We signed a tripartite agreement with the NDDC. They were supposed to commit 40 per cent while the state provides 60 per cent. We opened an account but they didn’t remit one kobo into it.”
The leader of the House of Representatives Ad Hoc Committee on NDDC abandoned projects in Edo State, Sergius Ogun, said they were in the state to investigate abandoned NDDC projects, noting that the committee had a short time to work and submit its report to the leadership of the House.
The Director, Edo State Office of the NDDC, Mr. Gbubemi Ogor, said the commission agreed with the position of the governor on the commission’s projects in the state.
“We have agreed to review a lot of our projects in Edo State. The governor has expressed his dissatisfaction with our projects and we have taken his words to heart and have set up a committee. We will be meeting with the commissioner for infrastructure next week on the issues.”
Source: Punch
