By Ebi Kesiena
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dismissed reports circulating in the media claiming that palliatives meant for critical groups in Cross River State were not fairly distributed.
According to the NDDC, nothing could be further from the truth, as residents in the nine mandate states, including Cross River State, received the palliatives with joy and gratitude.
Seledi Thompson-Wakama, Director of Corporate Affairs, stated that the NDDC distributed palliatives, not money, as alleged in the false reports. She explained that the list of beneficiaries was duly approved by the NDDC Board.
The NDDC maintained that it is committed to transparency and accountability, acknowledging the need to conduct its affairs more openly. To achieve this, the commission engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen its corporate governance system.
The NDDC is determined to uphold its mantra, “Making a Difference,” in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region. The commission urged the public to disregard false stories spread by mischief-makers aimed at derailing its innovations.
Under the leadership of Chairman Mr Chiedu Ebie and Managing Director Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC is committed to driving the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
The statement read:
“To set the record straight, the NDDC distributed palliatives, not money, as alleged in the story circulating in the media, and the list of beneficiaries was duly approved by the NDDC Board.
“The Board and Management of the NDDC are now more determined than ever to uphold their mantra, ‘Making a Difference,’ in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.
“We urge members of the public to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr Chiedu Ebie, and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
“We are fully aware of the increasing need to be seen as more accountable to the public and to conduct our affairs with greater transparency.
“Responding to this reality, we engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system and improve our internal processes and institutional protocols. They have helped us establish a new institutional culture anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.
“We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative, and politically peaceful.
“We assure our stakeholders and members of the public that the NDDC Board and Management will not be distracted in their resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region.”
