NGO accuses MD of NDDC of projects diversion

An NGO, Bayelsa Patriotic Watch (BPW), has accuse  the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission,

NDDC, Mr Nsima Ekere, of diverting many vital projects meant for Bayelsa to Akwa Ibom state.

Mr Empire Otuzi, the President BPT in a statement he issued on Monday in Bayelsa, alleged that Ekere was diverting the projects to Akwa-Ibom because he had vested political interest in the state. 

Bayelsa Patriotic Watch is an NGO which shadows the interests of Bayelsa State  in particular and Niger Delta in general. Some of the projects that the BPW accused Ekere of diversion to Akwa Ibom from NDDC by Ekere were Eminama Community Water Project, OpuNembe Sand file road project and water project in Kongo via Akasa.

The projects according to Otuzi also include Egwema Water project, Odioama water project abandoned, all in Brass Local Government. Otuzi also listed Shore Protection project in Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government, water project in Okutukutu Epie, Akenfa bridge.

He added that the water project in Biseni clan in Yenegoa Local government has been certified satisfactorily completed and the contractor fully paid, where the people was yet to benefit even a glass of water from the said project. "The Bayelsa Patriotic Watch believe that the managing director's eye on the governor's seat of Akwa Ibom State is solely responsible for Ekere's diverting funds and projects meant for Bayelsa  and other State.  "The organization wonder why the managing director will not focus on his primary assignment and not abuse his powers and use his office for the feathering of his political nest to the detriment of Bayelsa State in particular.

"The Bayelsa Patriotic Watch is of a firm belief that Ekere's blind pursuit of his vaulting political ambition has contributed seriously to the under development of Bayelsa State," Otuzi advised the MD to urgently retrace his steps and desist from further diversions of projects meant for Bayelsa and other States.

"NDDC is whitewashed with abandoned and white elephant  projects  because of such sharp practices thus defeating the aim of setting up the NDDC. 

"NDDC is a successor body set up since year 200 to address the twin issues of environmental degradation and underdevelopment in the region. "These two issues have remained a mirage since the board was introduced."