The Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA), Thursday in Port Harcourt urged the Federal Government to release the backlog of unremitted funds due to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) as contained in the approved budgets of the commission.
The group whose members constitute contractors of the NDDC also called on the International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the region to ensure the release of their counterpart funds to the interventionist agency.
National President of the association, Dressman Darlington-Gbolobofa, speaking during a parley with the media said the release of the funds to the management of the NDDC would help the commission to consolidate in their resolve to clear all contractual liabilities faced by the Commission.
Darlington-Gbolobofa said: “We wish to use this medium to plead with the Federal Government for prompt fund release to the commission while calling on all IOCs and gas processing companies operating within Niger Delta, also too as a matter of urgency fast-track their release of funds to ensure the MD and his management team consolidate in their resolve to clear all contractual liabilities bedeviling the NDDC.”
He explained that “there have been funds in the previous year’s budget due to NDDC that has not been released to the commission and that equally is affecting deeply, the functionality of the commission.”
The NDICA President NDICA commended the current leadership of the NDDC under Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the NDICA president noting that his engagement with the contractors of the commission has reduced the level of incessant agitations and protests experienced in the past at the headquarters of NDDC over non-payment of contractors.
He lauded President Bola Tinubu for retaining Dr Ogbuku as the Managing Director of NDDC when the board was dissolved, stressing that the MD’s proven competence and integrity have sustained him in his position.
“The NDICA is particularly grateful to the President for sparing the management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ably led by the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku. Our gratitude stems from the proven integrity and administration competence of the team.
“We are glad to note that the rancour, distrust and animosity that characterised the relationship between the NDDC and its vendors/contractors have become a thing of the past as a test of the effective administration style of Dr. Ogbuku and his team. For instance, gone are the days when helpless local contractors were forced to embark on disruptive protests over non-payment for jobs executed for the commission.
“This vexed issue of non-payment of contractors after executing sundry jobs for the commission, a major source of embarrassment to government and friction with contractors, has been laid to rest as contractors are now sure of their payments in a reasonable time.
“Worthy of commendation is the management’s well-thought-out decision to pay contractors starting with small tickets which constitute about 60% of the Commission’s debt to contractors.”
The group further commended Dr Ogbuku and his NDDC-led team for their effort in regular sensitisation of the youths which has stemmed the level of insecurity and oil theft in the area.
“We are privy to the various efforts put in place by the NDDC management to sensitise youths of Niger Delta communities on the danger and grave implications of pipeline vandalisation, illegal oil bunkering and refining activities in the region.
“Through various commendable sensitisation and advocacy platforms, the Commission under Dr. Ogbuku has undoubtedly led the way in upholding the federal government’s quest to halt illegal oil activities in the region,” the contractors stated.
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