Alleged N3b NDDC Payment: RODNAB threatens legal action against mischief makers, sponsors

 

By Ovasa Ogaga,

 

RODNAB Construction Company Limited has denied receiving payments from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for jobs not done, threatening to take legal action against mischief makers and sponsors of unfounded and reckless allegations against it, in attempts to tarnish its reputation.

 

It disclosed that in the past 18 years of operations, it has executed all its jobs in compliance with industry and professional best practice, due process and all regulatory requirements of laid down rules of its clientele and the government of Nigeria

RODNAB in a statement signed by its Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Adamu Ishaku Musa while reacting to an online publication captioned: “NDDC pays N3billion to Akpabio’s cronies, RODNAB construction, as looting of the agency continues,” adding that as an indigenous Niger Delta company, it has carried out all its business with global best practice.

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While calling on the general public, especially residents of the Niger Delta to disregard the publication as baseless lies promoted by ‘mischief makers’ and ‘protagonists of hate speech’ aimed at causing disaffection in the zone, stressing that it has no business sponsoring militant to cause economic harm to government business interests.

 

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to an online media publication with the above headline. This allegation is untrue and is completely denied.

 

“RODNAB, a Niger Delta indigenous construction company has over 18 years’ experience in the field of construction and civil engineering, with a reputation of delivering quality services in the industry in compliance with COREN and world best standard. We have worked, and still working with our clientele, which cuts across governmental organizations, private companies and individuals who take pride in our experts’ services and end products.

 

“We accept and execute all our jobs in compliance with industry and professional best practice, due process and all regulatory requirements of laid down rules of our clientele and the government of Nigeria.

 

“We will like to state unequivocally that all the jobs we have secured and executed (even our NDDC Projects) were duly tendered for and won, having met all necessary conditions, which includes ensuring that the approval of the Federal Executive Council is given (for public institution jobs).

 

“It is also important to note that, the present Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs (Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio) was not in the cabinet when the contract was approved and awarded. Neither the Commission nor the Honourable Minister of Niger Delta Affairs is doing us a favour with payments received for work done as it is obligatory on the Commission to pay contractors for jobs duly executed. Furthermore, we will like to state that the contract duration was for one year. Unfortunately, due to issues beyond our control especially timely funding and other sundries, we were compelled to extend the handover date and possible commissioning till April 2020, all things being equal.

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“All payments so far received are monies paid by the Commission on the attainment of target milestones and satisfaction of quality expectations on the awarded projects. We do not do business with militants and have no need to pay them. We deliver quality job and project for value and we take pride that our company has attained this fit and height in the construction industry in Nigeria. And we expect no less pride from all Nigerians.

 

“Making unfounded, negligent and reckless statements of lies against a brand name like RODNAB with the conscious and willful intent to cause economic harm to our reputation can give rise to Malicious Falsehood and Cyberstalking, offences punishable under Sections 375 and 376 of the Criminal Code and Section 24 of Cybercrimes Act 2015 with 2, 3 and 7 years’ imprisonment.

 

“So, perpetrators of this act and their sponsors are warned as we will not hesitate to institute legal action against them, forthwith.

 

“We call on Nigerians, especially residents of the Niger Delta, to be wary of such baseless reports promoted by ‘mischief makers’ and ‘protagonists of hate speech’ whose intent is to cause disaffection among the people, and continue to ensure no meaningful development comes to the region.”