Indigenous Contractors Demand IOCs Release NDDC’s Unpaid Funds

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The Niger Delta region’s international oil companies (IOCs) have been urged to release all unpaid funds accruing to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) since its establishment in 2000.

This call was made in a joint statement signed and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt by the NDDC’s Indigenous contractors, the “Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association” (NDICA) and the “Contractors Association of NDDC,” following their meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, during their visit to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana.

Earlier, the group’s patron, former Bayelsa State Senator John Brambaifa, urged all NDDC contractors, consultants, and others who are unhappy with the Commission over delayed contract payments to be patient and give the new Minister time to resolve any outstanding issues.

According to Prince Sodinie, Secretary General of the NDICA, the group was founded in 2000 with the goal of proper coordination and monitoring of contracts and execution by indigenous contractors for quality delivery in accordance with the contract specification.

The contractors demanded that the funds be remitted to the federal government interventionist agency to enable it to carry out its statutory responsibilities in the region in a resolution signed by the Acting National President, Chief Dressman Dalinton, following the review meeting.

The commission was entitled to a statutory 3% fund from the IOC’s annual profits to support the operations of the federal government’s interventionist agency in the region.

The NDDC, on the other hand, has always accused multinational corporations of noncompliance.

People expressed confidence in the minister’s unquestionable character and pedigree, according to the statement.

“We are requesting that the IOCs release funds owed to the NDDC as soon as possible so that the agency can discharge its responsibilities to her contractors,” they added.

The NDDC is allegedly owed hundreds of billions of naira by the contractors.

During the joint visit, the groups expressed relief from their ordeal, which they said had lasted six years, and included the deaths of their members, the loss of their key assets to banks and financial institutions, the education of their children, among other things, and asked him to look into their plight and save what was left of them and their families.

Following their meeting with the minister last week, the contractors expressed confidence in his ability to address their issues as well as other challenges in the commission.

They stated, “During our visit to Abuja on August 10, both associations had extensive discussions with the Honourable Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Obong Umana Umana.”

“The essence of our discussions centered on the payment of NDDC contractors, and we want to state unequivocally that we are very pleased with the Minister’s warm welcome.”

“The Minister’s body language has demonstrated that he is a statesman who cares about the Niger Delta Region and its people.”