Ibori Mum As Uduaghan, Kalu Explain NDDC Contracts

By Chuks Ekpeneru

Former Abia State Governor, Senator Orji Kalu has confirmed facilitating a contract awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

He, however, said the NDDC has not paid any dime to the contractors who built the roads he facilitated.

However, former Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State, has denied ever soliciting or obtaining a contract from the NDDC.

Another former governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori who was also reported as having been mentioned by Godswill Akpabio to have benefited from NDDC contracts has yet to respond to the development.

Kalu confirmed that his letter headed paper was used to write a ‘sympathetic letter’ to the NDDC in 2016 requesting and pleading with the body to rescue roads in Abia.

This was contained in a reply to accusations by Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, where he reportedly mentioned ex governors Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Ibori , Senator Ifeanyi Ararume , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others to the several contracts allotted by the NDDC.

The former Delta State governors were as at Monday morning yet to make public comments on the assertions made by Senator Akpabio, himself a former governor of Akwa Ibom State.

In a statement signed by Barrister Emeka Nwala of office of the Senate Chief Whip, he said the road projects mentioned by Akpabio are the interventions he facilitated for the communities as a private citizen before he became a Senator.

According to him, ”I was Governor of Abia State between 1999-2007 and never held any public office until June 11, 2019 when I was sworn in as a Senator. Between 2016- 2018 during my tour to several communities; leaders and welfare unions of most communities pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads . I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state .

“The NDDC in their consideration which I am very grateful to, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself. Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention” He said

Clarifying further, he said “the roads I requested for intervention as mentioned by the Honourable Minister were repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road ;Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze ; Ndi Oji Abam-Atan Road ; the Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende road and Ozu-Amuru-Abam Road .

“The contractors have completed and delivered these roads long time ago except  Abam-Atani road which I learnt from the contractors was slowed down due to  rain but still ongoing.

“Meanwhile,  it would interest Nigerians to know that the contractors who built these roads have not been paid any dime . It has not been easy with the contractors but because it’s a community project they have only but kept hope alive on the NDDC.”

Uduaghan responding through his media aide Monoyon Edon said:

“We want to state very clearly that the said accusation is FALSE. Dr. Uduaghan has never approached the NDDC for any contract whatsoever. It is even more ridiculous that the said contract is a road inside Port Harcourt town.

“Dr. Uduaghan has drawn the attention of the Hon. Minister of the Niger Delta, Sen Godswill Akpabio to the publication and hopes he makes a correction.

“Members of the public are advised to disregard the mischevious publication.

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