Corruption Allegations in NDDC Must be Investigated and Culprits Diligently Prosecuted

Niger Delta. July 29, 2020… We are deeply concerned about recent revelations on the scale of corruption and mismanagement in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). We recall that the NDDC was established in 2000 as one of the first tasks of the new democratic government in Nigeria, and was conceived as a response to the agitations of the people of the region for greater benefits from the hydrocarbon resource exploitation, as well as responding to the dearth of development and basic social services in the region. It was established with the mission of facilitating the rapid, even and sustainable development of the Niger Delta into a region that is economically prosperous, socially stable, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful.

Other responsibilities of the Commission include

·      Implementation of projects and programmes for sustainable development of the Niger Delta area in the field of transportation including roads, jetties and waterways, health, employment, industrialization, agriculture and fisheries, housing and urban development, water supply, electricity and telecommunications.

·      Implementation of all the measures approved for the development of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and the states of the Commission.

The commission was also expected to identify factors inhibiting the development of the Niger Delta region and to assist member states in the formulation and implementation of policies to ensure sound and efficient management of the resources of the region.

Moreover, the NDDC was set up to tackle environmental problems that arise from the exploitation of oil mineral in the Niger Delta region and to advise the Federal Government and member states on the prevention and control of oil spillages, gas flaring and environmental pollution. To do this, the NDDC is expected to Liaise with the various oil mineral and gas prospecting and producing companies on all matters of pollution prevention and control.

20 years after its establishment, the Commission has consistently failed to live up to this clear mandate and has instead exposed the Niger Delta peoples to neglect and misery while bringing much scorn to the region.

While as civil society organizations we are perplexed and outraged by the gory tales of corruption in the Commission especially as it has been revealed by the National Assembly Probe Committee, we have long been aware of these happenings and have often called the attention of the federal government and the people of the region to the failures of the Commission. Civil Society organizations in the Niger Delta have embarked on project monitoring activities and written countless reports detailing the malfeasance in the Commission. The government has consistently refused to take action. All efforts to instil accountability and transparency in the NDDC has thus far lacked the support of successive governments.

We are saddened by the fact that rather than develop the region, the huge allocations to the NDDC has rather bequeathed a legacy of abandonment, neglect and underdevelopment. Despite the huge yearly allocations to the Commission in the last 20 years, poor management and corruption has made it impossible for the agency to exert any reasonable measure of positive impact on the region.

To ensure we do not drift off in the sea of allegations, it is important not to lose sight of what the real issues are. We need to determine what factors led to the level of reckless looting that has been associated with the Commission since its inception. We also need to develop strategies that will disincentivize stealing and mismanagement at the NDDC and ensure that the Commission lives up to its mandate

It is important to note that the corruption in the NDDC thrives essentially because of political influence and patronage. Successive governments in Nigeria have treated the Commission as a conduit for settlement and compensation.

The decision as to who leads the NDDC at different points in time appears to have never been done on the basis of track record, competence or any form of merit, but rather out of consideration for settlement. In this regard, the Presidency shares equally in the blame over what the Commission has become.

It is pertinent to note that the current Presidency has appointed at least 5 heads of the NDDC in a short period of 5 years, essentially contributing to the instability in the Commission.

While we welcome the probe of the National Assembly, we recall that this is not the first time the NDDC has been in the spotlight in this regard. There have been investigative processes previously that revealed alarming levels of corruption in the Commission. Unfortunately, those processes did not amount to any significant changes in the Commission, or even the prosecution of culprits. We are disturbed and genuinely concerned that the current hearing of the National Assembly Committee could end in the same manner, especially given the abrupt end of the public hearings.

As civil society organizations and people of the region, we have documented all the allegations of corruption and abuse of due process in the Commission revealed at the public hearing. We will be closely monitoring the corresponding actions of all duty bearers in line with ensuring investigations and prosecution are carried out. This must not end in the manner other efforts ended.

To address the decay in NDDC and reposition the Commission to live to its expectation, we demand the following immediate actions:

1. All emerging revelations of malfeasance in the NDDC must be thoroughly investigated and culprits duly prosecuted.
2. The commencement and expeditious execution of the Forensic Audit of the Commission. The Audit process must be conducted by globally recognized audit firms with experience in similar audit exercises, who must be selected through an open, free and competitive bidding process.
3. That credible civil society organizations be allowed to closely monitor the audit process to ensure fairness, accuracy and compliance with the highest standards.

• A halt to reckless activities at the NDDC starting with the immediate freezing of withdrawals from the accounts of the Commission. It is important to note that while the probe of the NDDC was ongoing at the National Assembly, a bulk withdrawal was said to have been made from the Commission’s account. This is unacceptable in the face of the commission’s history of fiscal recklessness.
• Publication of the details of all contractors to the NDDC against the contracts they executed on-behalf of the Commission.
• We also demand a publication of the list of NGOs that benefited from the cash grants from the NDDC.
• The NDDC must henceforth embark on projects determined by the communities to avoid the persistent frittering of resources through insatiable private pockets.
• The immediate publication of the report the Auditor-General and NEITI on the NDDC

The Niger Delta has become the prime example of a territory that has suffered irreparable social and ecological damage. Many Niger Deltans have lost their lives in the struggle for the rescue of the region from utter destruction. It is unconscionable that a commission set up to ameliorate the situation has further added to the harm of the region.

Signed

1. Nnimmo Bassey, Health of Mother Earth Foundation
2. Ken Henshaw, We The People
3. David Ugolor, Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ)
4. Tijah Bolton Akpan, Policy Alert
5. Emem Okon, Kabetkache Women Development Resource Centre
6. Joel Bisina, Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa)
7. Onose Martha, Community Empowerment and Development Initiative
8. Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD)
9. Faith Nwadishe, Koyenum IMMALAH Foundation
10. Keme Opia, Bayelsa NGOs Forum (BANGOF)
11. Harry Udoh, Support Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP)
12. Daisy Abiola Idufueko, Conference of NGOs Edo State (CONGOs)
13. Clinton Ezeigwe, Christian Fellowship and Care Foundation
14. Obasanmi Jude, Josemaria Child Rights Network
15. Comrade Ede O. Edem, Green Concern for Development (GREENCODE)
16. Umo Isua-Ikoh, Peace Point Development Foundation
17. Frank Oloniju, Life and Peace Development Organisation (LAPDO)
18. Adeosun J.O.J, Komuniti in Action Initiatives (KAI)
19. Lawrence Dube, Citizens Trust
20. Pius Dukor, Pius Dukor Foundation
21. Anthony Aalo, Kallop Humanitarian & Environmental Centre
22. Idongesit Alexander, League of Queens international Empowerment
23. Grace Namon, Gbogbia Feefeelo
24. Lezina Patrick, Edee Ladies of Tai
25. Precious Ibegwura-Egi Human Rights and Environmental Justice Initiative
26. Nne Umoren, Women Initiative on Climate Change
27. Regina Fabian, Rural Health Women Development
28. Glory Alexander, Alauchi Women Development Initiative
29. Prof Zabbey Nenibarini
30. Ngozi Ugolor, Oghara Centre for Women and Girl-Child Development
31. Peter Nwadishe, Network on Good Governance
32. Ememobong Okon, Hope for Coastal Women Empowerment Initiative
33. Florence Aniedi, Justice Development & Peace Commission/Caritas
34. Susan Bassey-Duke, Gender & Development Action (GADA)