… as CEOs scream their innocence
… new MD ready to open the books for public viewing
Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Itse Sagay, has exonerated the present managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Nsima Ekere, and his immediate predecessor, Ibim Semenitari, of being part of the N560 million scam he opened up on Thursday, March 2. The two CEOs have however reacted strongly against the professor’s seeming indictment.
Sagay, who is expected to advise President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal administration on the fight against corruption, has come out to say he was referring to past administrations before Semenitari and Ekere. Dan Abia had served Buhari from May 29, 2015 to December 2015. Sagay said despite Buhari’s presence, the NDDC still did ugly things.
Sagay’s spokesman, Okon Eminue, in a statement online, said: “To repeat myself for purposes of emphasis, Sagay’s allegation does not, in any way, pertain to the present Board and Management of NDDC under the leadership of distinguished senator, Victor Ndoma-Egba, (board chairman, NDDC) and His Excellency Obong Nsima Ekere (managing director, NDDC). The scam even came to limelight before Ibim Seminitari was appointed acting MD, NDDC.”
He added: “To that extent, Amu Nnadi’s stout defence of the present NDDC Board and Management is quite proper and correct. But it is one of the past Boards and Management of NDDC that the professor, Sagay, actually alludes to.”
Ekere and Semenitari had washed their hands off the scandal ignited by Sagay about purchase of N560 million vehicles at N70 million each in a time of scarcity such as this.
The accusation by the chairman of the PACAC had sparked off rows across the nation since Thursday, March 2, when he lambasted various government agencies even under the Muhammadu Buhari no-nonsense administration that he said were spending heavily as if there was no recession.
In her own reaction, the immediate past CEO, Ibim Semenitari, also washed her hands off any vehicle purchase. Her media aide, Bekee Anyalewechi, had been inundated by inquiries over the allegations by Sagay.
“This response is to state categorically that Semenitari did not purchase any vehicle during her period of service. She neither initiated nor approved any procurement for the purchase of any vehicle. Inquiries concerning the said cars should be directed at the current management and Board of NDDC.”
On the NDDC, Sagay had particularly talked about buying cars that included eight super Lexus that cost N70 million each and 10 Toyota Land cruiser at N65 million each.
The NDDC however reacted immediately, saying no single car had been purchased since November 4, 2016, that the new MD, Nsima Ekere, came into office with the new board.
In a statement, the media head, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, said: “Indeed, it is a known fact that the chairman, the distinguished Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), the managing director/CEO, Nsima Ekere, and the two executive directors are still using their private vehicles three months after assumption of duties.
‘’The NDDC is only now in the process of acquiring work vehicles, and is adhering strictly to due process. These include five Toyota Prado jeeps, 10 Toyota Hilux trucks, four Toyota Land cruiser jeeps, one Toyota Coaster bus and two Toyota Hiace buses. The Commission has just received the Due Process Compliance Certificate from the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, and is preparing the mandatory memo for the approval of the Federal Executive Council.
“The new NDDC reiterated its commitment transparency by adhering strictly to processes and procedures of Government, “as espoused in the Board’s 4-R Initiative of restoring the Commission’s core mandate, restructuring the balance sheet, reforming our processes and reaffirming a commitment to doing what is right and proper at all times in facilitating the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.”
The MD also said he was prepared to open the books to inspectors and auditors, saying it was partnering with Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR), Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Open Government Partnership (OGP) to improve the Commission’s governance systems, procurement and project implementation processes, in order to plug all loopholes and systematically eliminate all incidences of mismanagement and corruption.
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