REVEALED: Most NDDC contracts are handled by members of National Assembly – Akpabio

As Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila says slumped NDDC MD, Pondei will not appear again before panel

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, were to members of the National Assembly, insisting that majority of the contracts awarded were handled by the lawmakers.

Akpabio made the disclosure while answering questions at the ongoing probe by the House of Representatives committee.

According to him: “Most of the contracts at NDDC are handled by members of the National Assembly.”

The House of Representatives is currently investigating NDDC over alleged fraud, mismanagement of funds, among others.

Meanwhile, he Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has disclosed that the Acting Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Kemebradikumo Pondei who slumped during the ongoing investigative hearing will not appear before the committee again.

The Speaker disclosed this at the resumption of the session following the adjournment due to collapse of Mr. Pondei. He noted that the committee will adopt the written response of the MD.

Gbajabiamila was responding to questions after the NDDC boss collapsed and rushed out for medical attention

“There would be no need for the MD of NDDC to appear anymore since he has submitted a written response.

“I wish Mr. Pondei safe and speedy recovery and I have also sent the Medical Director of the National Assembly to follow up to tascertain the condition of the MD. Thank you very much and I, therefore, hand over to the current chairman of the Committee, Mr. Thomas Ereyitomi to continue with the hearing”.