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Cabinet officials

Senate Rejects Minister's Allegations of Contract Abuse

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Senate has rejected allegations by the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, that some serving and former members of the National Assembly were awarded contracts by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Instead, the Senate described Akpabio's allegations as "lies from the pit of hell" and defended its members, saying they only facilitated projects in their constituencies and did not receive a dime for their execution. The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions also dismissed Akpabio's claims as "unfounded and sheer blackmail".

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate rejected allegations by Senator Godswill Akpabio that serving and former members of the National Assembly received contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
  • The Senate described Akpabio's allegations as "lies from the pit of hell" and defended its members, saying they only facilitated projects in their constituencies.
  • The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions dismissed Akpabio's claims as "unfounded and sheer blackmail".
  • Senators Nwaoboshi, Manager, and Urhoghide were listed as beneficiaries of contracts from the NDDC in 2018, but the Senate said they only influenced projects in their constituencies.
  • The Senate said that Akpabio, as a former senator, facilitated projects worth billions of naira in his constituency through the NDDC.
  • HOSCON, a group representing host communities in Nigeria, called for the redeployment of NDDC's administration from the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to the presidency.
  • The group commended the National Assembly for instituting probes into NDDC's activities and facing up with the commission's Interim Management Committee (IMC).

Statistics:

  • 53 contracts were allegedly awarded to Senator P.Nwaoboshi in 2018, as claimed by Senator Godswill Akpabio.
  • The NDDC was accused of mismanaging its funds and engaging in sleaze, with many host communities calling for its administration to be redeployed to the presidency.
  • 10% of NDDC's projects were allegedly influenced by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, as claimed by Senator Ayo Akinyelure.

Sources:

  • The Guardian newspaper, June 2021 (Senator Akpabio's alleged listed beneficiaries of NDDC contracts)
  • Channels Television, June 2021 (Senator Nwaoboshi's reaction to Akpabio's allegations)
  • SaharaReporters, June 2021 (HOSCON's statement on redeploying NDDC's administration to the presidency)
  • Premium Times, June 2021 (Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions' reaction to Akpabio's allegations)

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