NDDC debunks financing APC in Edo governorship poll

…says Commission’s funds not for political campaigns

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has debunked a rumour linking it to financing the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.

While explaining that NDDC’s funds cannot be diverted to politics or to fund campaigns, the Commission stated that its operations and financial system were backed by a World class financing and auditing mechanism and applications created by the renowned KPMG.

In a statement signed by Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director, Corporate Affairs, the Commission said it was aware of reports circulating online, claiming that the Commission was diverting funds intended for contractors to finance All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship campaign in Edo State.

Read also: Edo: Shaibu resumes office, directs staff to follow

The statement said nothing could be farther from the truth, “We are, therefore, constrained to respond to the false story about an imaginary diversion of NDDC funds. Curiously, the story was attributed to undisclosed sources from the rumour mill.

“To set the records straight, NDDC does not sponsor political parties or candidates contesting in elections at any level of government.

“Our mandate is to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.

The statement said the Board and Management of the NDDC was more than ever determined to uphold its mantra, which is making a difference,’ in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.

“We urge members of the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations being introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

“We are fully aware of an increasing need to be seen to be more accountable to the public and to conduct our affairs in a more transparent manner”, it added.

Responding further to the allegation, the statement said, “We engaged the KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system, as well as improve our internal processes and institutional protocols.

“They have helped us to establish a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.

“As part of this control mechanism, we recently held a meeting with members the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the Commission.

Read also: Edo guber: INEC sensitises electoral officers, PWDs on use of assistive materials

“We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”, it noted.

To achieve this goal, the statement went on, they are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, “to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

“We assure our stakeholders and members of the public that the NDDC Board and Management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region.”