"NDDC Owe Contractors 400 Billion"

Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has said the commission owed about 8,000 contractors between N300 and N400 billion.

She said the volume of the debt had put pressure on the Commission, adding that while the commission would meet its contractual obligations, contractors who show enough commitment in the execution of their projects would be given priority in payments.

Semenitari spoke yesterday while conducting a delegation from United States-based Centre for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) round a 233-bed Niger Delta Region Specialist Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt.

When prodded on the exact amount owed contractors, the acting managing director said, “We are still working the figures out. So I so cannot share the exact numbers but first level checks show between N300 to N400 billion.”

She informed the delegation that the Niger Delta Region Specialist Mother and Child Hospital was a joint project between the Commission and the Rivers State government.

She disclosed that the project was initially awarded at N791 million but that the cost was reviewed upwards to N1.9 billion because of expansion on the scope of the project.

She encouraged contractors to return to site and try to complete their projects on time.

"The issue at hand is beyond the payment of the outstanding debt but seeing which projects are nearing completion and commitment on the part of the contractors,” she said.

Speaking earlier while receiving the delegation in her office, Semenitari said the Commission was not looking for handouts but partnerships aimed at turning around the fortunes of the Niger Delta region.

She emphasised the importance of the region, stating that the issues concerning the region was beyond oil.

Her words: "If we don't get the Niger Delta right, there would be problem for every other person. It is not a matter of arrogance but there is so much wealth buried in the belly of the region.

"The world cannot ignore the Gulf of Guinea and if that is so, then no one can ignore the Niger Delta. NDDC cannot do it alone; we need the cooperation of all stakeholders to move the region forward.

"We are not looking for handouts; we don't need that. But we need partnerships to collaborate with us for the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the CSIS delegation, Jennifer Cooke, said the centre had a policy focusing on political, economic and development issues.

Cooke, who is the CSIS Director of African Programme, said the centre was eager and willing to support NDDC as much as possible, by bringing in its expertise to fast-track the development of the Niger Delta region.

Credit: Thisday