Following allegations by a non-governmental organisation, Anti-Corruption Network recently, discrediting the efforts of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs and calling some of its projects “non-existent”, it became pertinent for the ministry to prove otherwise. CHRISTIANA ESEBONU who was part of a fact-finding mission to the region, writes.

The presidency and royal fathers of Bolou-Ndoro and Ogbobagbene communities of Burutu local government area of Delta State, recently contradicted an earlier claim from the Anti-Corruption Network, a non-governmental organisation, which had earlier questioned the existence of three projects being handled by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs. Summarily, the organisation accused the ministry of defrauding the government of N29bn.

The recent visit by the representative of President Goodluck Jonathan, civil society groups, and journalists to the sites of the said projects was to ascertain the existence of the project, and if it has gone any distance (if it does exist). After visiting the sites, it became clear to the team that the Dino Melaye-led whistle-blowing organisation had actually sought to mislead with its ‘facts’, as there is hardly any evidence on ground to give Melaye’s claims any life.

The special assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Monitoring and Evaluation, Prof. Sylvester Monye, expressed satisfaction with what he saw on ground, noting that the projects do actually exist. He also stated that the projects were an indication that the federal government is living up to its pledge to develop the Niger Delta. Monye said that he would relay the outcome of the project tour to the presidency so as to avail the ministry of accurate budgetary provisions to execute its projects. This, according to him, would forestall further delays which may lead to allegations of fraud. But funding, once again, reared its head. Chief Coniel Segi of Bolou-Ndori community and Chief Seaman Timikory of Ogbobagbene communities, told newsmen who were conducted round the sites of the three projects that contractors handling the projects were committed  to the prompt completion of the contracts , but were tied down by limited funding.

“These contractors are fully on ground and they have been doing their work, just as agreed. The only limitation they are experiencing is lack of funds. I strongly believe that if funds are provided, they will keep their part of the bargain”, Chief Timikory said.

The royal fathers also expressed shock over the allegations made by Melaye, stating that youths of the community were meaningfully engaged by the contracting firms to execute the visible projects. As for the contractors, they informed LEADERSHIP that if they were well mobilised, the projects would be completed before the end of 2013.

Chief executive officer, Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption, a civil society group, Dr. Gabriel Nwambu, confirmed to journalists after the inspection that the contracts and communities were in existence. Dr.  Nwambu also certified that the projects were on-going, but called on the National Assembly to appropriate more funds to aid the prompt completion of the listed projects which he said were stalled by poor funding.

Cyprian Inugbo, the project manager, Snecou Group of Companies Ltd, the company handling the shoreline protection project, said concrete piles to be used for the protection of the Ogbobabgene shoreline from flooding have since been moved to the site and the project execution was on-going as physically seen. On his part, Mr. Joe Fuludu, who is handling Ogbobaghene canalisation project, said the company had to suspend the work, after reaching 65 per cent completion because no funds were appropriated for the job in the 2012 budget.

For Ekenwa Oyin-Preye, an indigene of Ndoro community, who described the allegations against Orubebe as “an injustice”, noted that progress had been made on the canalisation and shoreline projects, while conducting pressmen round the areas where the concrete sheets were stockpiled at the sites. On his part, the director, Environment Management Services Department, Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Engr. Andrew Ojogbo, said that only N10m was appropriated for this project in the 2012 budget. He, however, explained that it costs N10m to keep a dredger on a project site for one day, adding that it was for this reason that the contractors were advised to evacuate their equipment until necessary funds were made.

Meanwhile, the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Elder Godsday Orubebe, said he has been completely vindicated with the confirmation of the existence of the projects by the presidency, royal fathers, the press and civil society groups.

According to him, “no matter how much false propaganda is being peddled, the reality on ground is still in favour of the transparency and commitment of my workforce. This is how blackmailers will keep side-stepping the point.” 

Orubebe maintained that his ministry is on course, as neither he nor his ministry was involved in thumbing any fraud or fraudulent contracts. He also reiterated that financial injection was required to enable the ministry achieve its set goals and meet the expectations of the people of the region, he noting that they have judiciously used funds made available to the ministry since 2009 when it was created.  

He added, “there is nothing like rot in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs as far as finance and contract awards and implementation are concerned. We deal with files not with contractors. There is sanity in my ministry. We haven’t and will hardly record any case of fraud. This is because we have a very transparent and sincere workforce.

 “It is the duty of us all to defeat the conspiracies being hatched in the country. This is not about debunking fallacies, but about unearthing the truth and showing facts on ground. The people and the traditional leaders have attested to my earlier claim that all the contracts which were labelled phantom were actually verifiable.”

Orubebe explained that the canalisation and dredging of the Foupolobulou Ndoro Creek, Burutu LGA, Delta State, for about 6.2km would cost the sum of N2.3bn. But he pointed out that the contractor was owed N661m, which led to a suspension of the work. If the project is completed, it will attract commercial and tourism activities to the communities in the area, and link three major communities in Delta and Bayelsa states.  The project is currently 40 per cent complete. Though the sum of N355m had been paid to the contractor through First Bank Plc as mobilisation fee, the minister explained that, the contracting firm started executing the project on June 6, 2011 and has done 40 per cent of the work.

Other projects that were stalled as a result of lack of funds include the N1.2bn canalisation project at Odoubou Ogbabagbene, Burutu LGA, Delta State due to a debt of N299m, though it is currently at 65 per cent completion stage; land reclamation/shoreline protection project at Ogbobagene, Burutu LGA, awarded at the sum of N2.4bn, currently at18 per cent completion stage due to N350m debt.

He, however, regretted that the ministry, tasked with the primary mandate of pursuing aggressive infrastructural projects aimed at ensuring the establishment of a vibrant economy for the region, is battling to survive the constraints of under-funding and continuous budgetary shortfalls.



http://www.leadership.ng/nga/articles/39950/2012/11/13/alleged_fraud_niger_delta_ministry_communities_fight_back.html