Agbor – All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ika-South local government area of Delta State, have hailed the forensic audit of the operations of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Ika-South APC stated, the order has compelled contractors handling NDDC projects especially in the area to return to site.

The APC members, who spoke with The Nigerian Observer after an enlarged meeting of the party, at Agbor last Friday, called on the contractors to always erect signposts at every site to signify the NDDC projects.

President Buhari had in October last year, while receiving governors of Niger Delta states at Aso Rock Villa, ordered the forensic audit of Commission’s operations from 2001 to 2019, following persistent criticisms of its operations.

According to a former Councilor, Hon Eluma Williams, NDDC have not awarded new projects, as contractors were executing those hitherto abandoned in the area.

“like Chris Ogala, Umudein, Agboma, or Convent street. Even go to Alifekede, their primary school that have been awarded over the years, they are now doing it.

“they have embezzled the money before now, but nobody wants to go to jail”, Hon. Eluma said

Related News

Also, Ika-South APC chairman, Elder Moses Nwakor warned individuals as well as groups to desist from claiming credits for NDDC projects or ascribing it to the state government.

He congratulated the NDDC’s Executive Director of Projects, Dr Cairo Ojougboh on his recent International award, adding, the Delta APC chieftain “stands for the truth”.

In the same vein, an APC ward chairman, Patrick Ebomah maintained, the option left for the contractors was complete ongoing projects, as “they can not lobby Buhari”.

Ebomah added; “we know it, we read it on newspaper, we listened to news, and we know these contracts were awarded by NDDC, but they wanted to siphon the money”.

But, a contractor handling one of the NDDC road projects in the area, who pleaded anonymity faulted the claims, as he explained that, they returned to back to site due to the dry season.

According to him, “the dry season is favourable to work, and we have to take advantage of it, that’s why we are out.

“as for me, I’m after how we can complete this project before raining season, and I don’t know of others”