N5.4b NDDC COVID-19 Fraud: Activist calls for the resignation of IMC, Akpabio

By Akpos Oghenetega,

A Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultant (IMC) and Investigative Journalist, Mr Iteveh Ekpokpobe, has called on President Muhammad Buhari to save the integrity of his administration by suspending the 5-man Interim Management Committee of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

 

He described the multiple allegations of fraud levelled against the IMC as alarming, especially at a time when the world’s attention was drawn towards overcoming the globally ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Iteveh advised NDDC Acting Managing Director, Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, Ag. Executive Director, Projects, Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Ag. Executive Director, Finance/Administration, Mr Ibanga Bassey Etang and other members of the board to bow out while the investigations were on.

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According to him, the prominent allegation of an N5.4 billion fraud for purchase of COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment by the Niger Delta Development Commission allegedly awarded to a company named Signora Concept Services Limited wreaked of inhumanity at a time when the survival of humanity was most threatened.

 

He said, “It is shameful, that such allegations of fraud could sprout under the watch of the acting Managing Director, Professor Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei, a Professor of Medicine and former Provost, College of Health Sciences.”

 

Iteveh expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as shallow ranting by Dr Cairo Ojougboh, Ag. Executive Director (Projects) as answers to critical questions thrown at him on a live broadcast recently.

 

He urged well-meaning stakeholders of the Niger Delta region to speak up in defiance to the obvious pillage of their commonwealth.

 

“The NDDC is fast eroding its usefulness. What we see today is a far cry from the prospects of the Commission as well as the expectations of the people. If it must continue like this, then the Federal Government must consider dissolving the commission entirely or risk becoming very unpopular in the League of Nations worldwide.” Iteveh stressed.