Matagu Foundation, an anti corruption advocacy group has called for full scale and independent probe of activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Chief Ekene Enefe, Founder of the advocacy group made the call in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Thursday.
Enefe described as ‘highly’ embarrassing and condemnable, the level of allegations of financial impropriety and contract scam in the Commission in recent weeks following the change of management.
The Foundation called on the stakeholders including the Ministry and the former Managing Director of NDDC management to address the issues pertaining to NDDC budget and its implementation and shun mudslinging.
It said they should not take Nigerians for a ride by delving into personal issues instead of telling the world what they have done to better the lots of the Niger Delta area.
Enefe said the Ministry had the powers to probe activities of NDDC being the supervisory ministry, but that the inquiry should be independent.
According to him, nobody should hoodwink Nigerians in this NDDC corruption scandal, the sacked Managing Director, Mrs Joi Nunieh should spare us all those vituperations about sexual scandal she had all the time to speak on that while she was in office.
“She should be telling the world what she achieved while serving as MD, how true is the allegations of syphoned contract money in the Commission what was the level of implementation of various budgets under her watch ?
“She should speak to these questions and not divert our attention with mundane issues because she has been eased out of office, it should not be a revenge mission,” he said.
The Matagu Chief Executive wondered why the relevant Committees in the National Assembly did not raise the alarm on the alleged corruption in the Commission until now adding that it was disappointing that some lawmakers were mentioned.
He said it was regrettable that those who were supposed to develop their own place and people saw the Commission as a cash cow to enriched themselves
“What is required is an independent inquiry into the NDDC, these things have been happening, what has NASS said about budget implementation at the Commission for various years, some of their members are among those accused of phony contracts.
“If at the end of the day, Matagu Foundation is not satisfied with the way this corruption allegations were treated, we will go to court to demand that federal government set up an independent inquiry.
“We are talking about survival and development of the endangered people of Niger Delta, how can people go to NDDC to get contracts only to abandon those projects in their own constituency, all the contracts under Nunieh should be probed,” he said.
Enefe said corruption in the Commission was partly responsible why it had not delivered on its mandate and allegations of exclusion of some members states from getting their fair share in infrastructure and social development.
