NDDC: “Fake petitioners against Amaechi, Branbaifa should be investigated, prosecuted”— Kpodoh

Former Security Adviser to the Bayelsa State Government, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh has called on security agencies and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to commence investigation and prosecute those involved in alleged fictitious and fake petitions filed against the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Professor Nelson Branbaifa and the Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaehi on alleged gross conduct with finances of the commission.

According to Kpodoh, the call for the investigation and prosecution of those he described as “anti-Niger Delta elements” is necessary to stop the continued blackmail and unnecessary distractions being caused within the NDDC and the development plan of the region.

Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, who was reacting, in a statement issued via email, to the reported claim of fraud allegedly involving the Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and the NDDC Acting Managing Director, Professor Nelson Branbaifa, dismissed the claims as the handi-work of those he termed as enemies of the region and demanding that they be investigated and dealt with to put a final stop to these ignoble act.

Kpodoh said “it is a thing of shame if the media and the security agents could not distinguish between fiction and truth. These were acts and series of fictions put together by the petitioners and their sponsors to distract the Acting MD of the Commission and the good works he embarked upon three months ago. We, the people of the Niger Delta, are insisting that those involved in such petition should be made known and exposed.”

 While Chief Perekeme Kpodoh described the Former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi as a beacon of hope in the region and a man that possessed sterling social and political record in the Niger Delta and insisted that the need to defend the eviable record in the region, those accusing Amaechi should be brought to book.

He noted that the Professor Branbaifa led leadership has recorded notable achievement in the area of quick payment outstanding debts which was incurred by the previous administration and hindered the development in the region.”

Kpodoh noted that the current management of the NDDC, compared to the ones in the past, has done well in the area of judicious use of funds, “the NDDC management on the past iis noted to have incurred over N150billion debt in less than eight months in office. The nee board has brought into the commission, the anti-corruption stand of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.”

“Past management teams of the NDDC failed to live up to expectations and refused to interpret the Niger Delta Master plan effectively. They refused to show sincerity towards the development of the region inspite of the huge moneys released to them by federal government. Lots of past NDDC bosses enriched themselves at the expense of the region’s development.”

“But now with Prof. Branbaifa, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed a Bayelsa man known to possess experience in the region. He knows what the region needed and how to achieve it. He is capable, educated and sincere. The stakeholders of the region should give him a chance.”

Kpodoh noted that instead of the pull-him-down syndrome against the current NDDC Board,” the youths, Elders, Traditional rulers and State Governors should support the Prof. Branbaifa leadership to succeed and deliver on its mandate.”

“the Professor Branbaifa led NDDC has awarded and made payment to all contractors handling the clearing and weeds and water hyacinth along creeks and river in the region. The youth volunteer scheme which has removed over 10,000 youth from the street and award of water rehabilitation scheme in the region”

“They have also awarded and made payment for the  dissilting of major drains and canal ahead of the rainy season. Also Numerous training programmers on ICT, Agro and Allied processing. The NDDC has also done the clearing of all outstanding payment to contractors from N30 million down.”

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