By: Patrick Anaso
Matagu Foundation, an anti corruption group says the current probe of the activities of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was a precursor to the actual development of the oil bearing region.
Chief Ekene Enefe, founder of the group who said this in an interview with newsmen in Awka on Tuesday, called on the presidency to takeover the probe by setting up an independent inquiry.
Enefe lauded the Ministers of Niger Delta, Sen. Godswill Akpabio for his courage to expose in the dealings at the NDDC which he said had been shrouded in secrecy over the years.
He urged the Akpabio to continue and complete the forensic audit which the ministry had started and not be daunted by the barrage of harassment that have come his way since the probe started.
The Matagu boss said the level of allegations of financial impropriety and contract scam in the Commission in recent weeks was embarrassing and condemnable.
He commended the chairman of the Reps Committee who recused himself from the hearing and called on the national assembly to hands off the probe because of the allegations that members were benefited from the questionable contracts.
“This is an interesting time in our national development, the NDDC probe has opened cans of worms, we want to commend the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs for his courage to initiate this probe but corruption has a way of fighting back.
“All these things have been happening but nobody was able to bring it to the fore, so we are not surprise at the accusations and counters accusations going on over the place.
“With what has happened so far, we would like the National Assembly to hands off the probe because some of their members are mentioned in the scandal, let the presidency take over the process for a truly independent probe,” he said.
Enefe said it was regrettable that those who were supposed to develop their own place and people saw the commission as a cash cow to enrich themselves.
According to him, 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 the projects in their own constituency, all the contracts should be probed.
“The civil society is watching how all these corruption probes will end, there will be a point when we will go to court for a criminal proceeding of these cases if we sense cover up by those involved.
