Senator Kalu replies Akpabio, says NDDC has not paid contractors of roads he facilitated

Chief Whip of the Senate and former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu on Monday said the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has not paid any dime to the contractors who built the roads he facilitated.

Kalu was reacting to the communique written by Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, where he reportedly mentioned ex governors Emmanuel Uduaghan, James Ibori , Senator Ifeanyi Ararume , Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others to the several contracts allotted by the NDDC

In a statement signed by Barrister Emeka Nwala of office of the Senate Chief Whip and made available to the media, Kalu said he believes the issues at stake in the NDDC has to do with missing funds and not works done , adding that he is becoming worried over his name being used indiscriminately to sell newspapers without verifications.

According to the Chief Whip , the road projects mentioned by the Honourable Minister are the interventions he facilitated for the communities as a private citizen before he became a Senator.

Kalu revealed his name is mentioned because he used his letter headed paper to write a sympathetic letter to the NDDC in 2016 requesting and pleading with the body to rescue roads in Abia.

He also noted his relationship with Senator Akpabio dates years back and long before he (Kalu) became a govenor , adding that he would still request for more road interventions from Akpabio

His words, ” I was Governor of Abia State between 1999-2007 and never held any public office until June 11, 2019 when I was sworn in as a Senator. Between 2016- 2018 during my tour to several communities; leaders and welfare unions of most communities pleaded for urgent intervention on some dilapidated roads . I wrote to the NDDC informing the body of the conditions of these roads and the need for their attention since Abia is an NDDC state .

The NDDC in their consideration which I am very grateful to, awarded the roads to companies that duly tendered for the projects and not myself. Whatever link I have with the projects is because it was considered due to my intervention” He said

The Senate Chief Whip also noted that the NDDC that awarded these projects were not any of the interim management in controversy but the fully constituted body of NDDC with its board.

Clarifying further, he said “the roads I requested for intervention as mentioned by the Honourable Minister were repairs of Ezere-Acha-Ndiokoukwu Road ;Amaubiri-Eluama-Uru Ring Road, Lokpaukwu, Umuchieze ; Ndi Oji Abam-Atan Road ; the Okafia-Ozuitem-Bende road and Ozu-Amuru-Abam Road .

"The contractors have completed and delivered these roads long time ago except  Abam-Atani road which I learnt from the contractors was slowed down due to  rain but still ongoing.

"Meanwhile,  it would interest Nigerians to know that the contractors who built these roads have not been paid any dime . It has not been easy with the contractors but because it's a community project they have only but kept hope alive on the NDDC.

Further speaking, he said  " I am  so much concerned about  roads  because I understand the economic importance of good roads , that's why I built several roads when I was Governor.  Even as a Senator,  it would interest you to know that my major constituency projects are road constructions,  reconstructions and rehabilitations . We have put in plans  to finish 19 roads in Abia North before end of 2021.

"As a community leader,  I do not intend to stop my interventions on roads in NDDC states because all the states need good roads. Good roads help to  drive the economy.  Therefore,  I believe the NDDC forensic audit should focus on the missing funds and not works done . They should focus on paying contractors that delivered their jobs and not using my name indiscriminately to sell newspapers. The Honourable Minister,  Senator Godswill Akpabio is my good old friend.  We have been friends even before I became  a governor.  I hope he doesn't expect me to stop seeking for road interventions in our communities . It is his civic responsibility to support the communities and I am very confident he will oblige our future requests especially in areas of good roads."  Kalu said

Source; https://abacityblog.com/senator-kalu-replies-akpabio-says-nddc-has-not-paid-contractors-of-roads-he-facilitates/

Oga Orji's quick response is bore out of fear of returning to Ayokoro city...

If this writeup is true then the writer is a distinguish lier. how can u quote that the roads have been completed by contractors without payment of a dime from NDDC.

But they have collected mobilize fees running to billions that can finish the job

Akpabio is right, you are one of the contractors from National Assembly. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

Once a thief, always a thief.
Ex convict is scared of going back to base

By their flat head u sha no them.

This Kalu is something else. He never denied the allegations but claimed they never paid them. How will Nigerian contractor complete a project without collecting a dime from NDDC. kalu will eat that beans again

Orji Uzor Kalu, you did well by explaining your side of the story.

It's not for your antagonists to judge, rather NDDC needs to verify your claims and inform the public on the facts behind the figures.

Secondly, it's time for investigative journalists to do their work and clarify and verify the claims.

Seeing and reading with political bias serve no good

This NDDC story is a series movie....More are still coming






I can supply computers to them, if they will pay fully at delivery.... i dont want to hear story like this above

The problem with Nigeria is inability to hear from the other side of story forgetting that many newspaper company and bloggers in Nigeria today are agents of government used as a blackmailers. That's why they were able to decieve by Saharareporter Sowore during Goodluck Jonathan regime and choose to vote the worst administration you can think of anywhere in the world.

Senior thieves! A former governor running up and begging for roads to be constructed. Ha had the chance to construct those roads as governor, or still what is Ikpeazu doing that almost all the roads in Abia is in mess

NDDC contract, people wey don chop money go

Y

It is well.

The next president of Nigeria 2023 ipob amaka

my country people we must stop celebrating our thieves who happen to be in public offices, it is because of our wrong mentality of praising and begging them, usually encourage them to steal your life away.. � no president of any country can fight corruption alone, it is the collective duty of citizens to demand for strong independent institutions, that can get this thieves out of our political system, and keep them where they belong... We blame buharia for the kind of people he employed as ministers... What of the national Assembly that screened them? They should share the greater blame... 1 person can make mistakes in appointment but the Assembly should scrutinize those that are been appointed to determine if they had enough knowledge and credentials to perform in office. in this way, we can have a better government... If a minister decide to steal, there is no way the president will know cos he is not a spiritualist... Strong institution is what we need to achieve corrupt free society... When I see thieves that should be in jail, pretending to have integrity , I shame for our society that celebrate them tufiakwa

Kikikikiki

Ok
Nigeria contractor finished Job without been paid? That must be the 10th wonders of the world

Akpabio drilling them... Turn off the mic, turn off the mic Mr Honourable I say turn of the mic

They just want to end Orji Kalu's life in prison


.

Off your mic, you that was just released by the Judicsharing to go back to the legislooters u still get mouth to dey talk money laundering issues

I don't take this people serious anymore. They come to the media to spew trash and gullible Nigerians would start fighting themselves.

These same people wine and dine together.

Jj

facebookcorewwwi.onion

Chai.....naija!!!

See billionaires arguing

if you've seen APC, no look for confusion again

This their case