Ex-NDDC boss Isima Ekere did not give me, any govt agency money ― Akpabio

Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied the insinuation going round that he collected money from the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Isima Ekere, or any other individual for that matter, describing it as spurious and conspiracy of some people he did not mention to continue to corner the resources of the region to themselves alone.

Akpabio, who is former governor of Akwa Ibom State, made this known on Sunday in a statement made to newsmen in Lagos, saying that the allegation was from “those who have been milking the resources meant for the development of the Niger Delta for the past 19 years” and part of their effort to frustrate the forensic audit of the accounts of the NDDC as ordered by President Mohammadu Buhari.

“It is part of their effort to frustrate the forensic audit of the accounts of the NDDC ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari,” the minister declared, even as he challenged anyone who had any claim contrary, regarding the spurious allegation, to come out openly to lay the fact bear before the public

Akpabio insisted that he had not received any kobo from anyone in the NDDC or any other agency of government, contending that this was a case of corruption fighting back because they had not foreseen that a forensic audit of the accounts of the commission could ever be ordered.

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“This is a case of corruption fighting back because they have not foreseen that a forensic audit of the accounts of the commission could ever be ordered,” the minister said.

Senator Akpabio said he had always handled any assignment given to him with courage and forthrightness, noting that this was why his strides in Akwa Ibom was described as uncommon transformation which ensured that landmark projects, including the Godswill Akpabio Stadium also known as the “Nest of Champions” and several roads network in the state capital and across the entire state” were put in place.

The minister, while saying he bore no grudge against anyone and would rather focus on how to best deliver on his mandate, assured the people of the Niger Delta that he would not fail on the mandate given him by Mr President to make a great impact on the development of the region for the next four years.

He, however, called on the people of the region and indeed Nigerians to support him to deliver on the Next Level promises of President Buhari for the country.