The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio has disclosed that members of the National Assembly were given most of the contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akpabio revealed this when he appeared before the Federal House of Representatives committee probing the commission.
“Who are even the greatest beneficiaries of the contracts? It’s you people at the national assembly,” the minister said.
A female lawmaker had interrupted him during the questioning was quoted saying: “Can I ask you a question? What is the benefit that the national assembly is benefiting from NDDC?”
Akpabio answered: “I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts in NDDC are given out to members of the national assembly but you don’t know about it, the two chairmen can explain to you. I was a member of the NDDC committee so I know about it.”
Earlier, the minister alleged that Joi Nunieh, former acting managing director of NDDC, did not participate in the mandatory one year service of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
Akpabio insisted he got to know about this through a letter from late Abba Kyari, former chief of staff to the president.
“The former managing director of the NDDC was relieved of her appointment when I received a letter from the then Chief of Staff (may his soul rest in peace) that she did not possess the requisite qualifications to be there,” he said.
“For instance, we have written twice to the National Youth Service Corps and twice they have insisted that she never served and that she does not have an NYSC certificate or an exception.”
