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 ABN TV 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 governor, 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 award 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 a 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 but only kept their 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 rehabilitation. We have put in plans to finish 19 roads in Abia North before the end of 2021.


Source: https://abntv.ng/2020/08/nddc-never-paid-a-dime-to-contractors-of-roads-i-facilitated-kalu-replies-akpabio/

Cc; lalasticlala, Mynd44

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.

Face saving. Ex convict is scared of going back to base

Their so called 2023 potential presidential candidate..shame.