N100bn NNDC Scam: 626 contractors disappear with mobilization fees

Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC is embroiled in a fresh contracts scandal of over N100 billion even as about 626 contractors were said to have disappeared after collecting mobilisation fees.

According to the chairman of the committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP Edo South), the officials have been invited to appear on Wednesday.

Speaking during committee meeting Senator Urhoghide said that the Committee has invited the NDDC to come and appear on Wednesday.

The chairman, who dropped the hint during sitting of the panel, warned that any refund that is traceable to an individual during the investigative hearing would be penalised, saying that over N100 billion could not be spent on contracts in NDDC without justification.

“We have invited NDDC to come, they don’t have records of financial transaction. They will appear before us on Wednesday.

“They have 47 queries and we are going at it the issue from one to 47 and we are going to personalized any refund.

“It is painful that N100 billion were spent without justification for it.

“We equally invite them for status enquiry on all revenue into their accounts.

“We are waiting for the NDDC, if they don’t come, we take necessary action against them.”

Some of the queries say, “it was observed that so many contractors were paid mobilization fee to enable them to commence the execution of the projects awarded to them.

“Contrary to the terms and agreement some of the contractors bolter away after collection of the mobilization fees.

“The surprising aspect of it was that this practice involved 626 contractors in which the sum of N61.4 billion was lost to fraudulent practices.

“Irregularities in the execution of contract awarded to SETRACO Nigeria Ltd. for the construction of Gbaregolor- Gbekbot -Ogulagha road phase worth N16.1 billion,” Senator Urhoghide stressed.