AKPABIO BROUGHT RODNAB TO EKERE FOR N16BN NDDC BUILDING CONTRACT

WHILE other contracts awarded by the erstwhile leadership of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC were being probed, the contract for the completion of the headquarters complex was hurriedly approved and paid.

Fresh revelations is that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio mobilised the entire contract sum to a certain Rodnab Construction Company for the completion of the building based on contract awarded to it by former Managing Director, Obong Nsima Ekere.

It is said that rather than award a fresh contract, he paid the contractor based on the contract awarded it when Ekere was the chief executive officer.

A source told newsmen that Akpabio could not terminate the contract because the company in question was his own surrogate, allegedly introduced to Ekere through his brother, Barr Ibanga Akpabio.

The implications were that the contract Ekere awarded was for the Akpabios' personal benefits.

The source further said RODNAB was a major contractor during Akpabio's reign as Governor of Akwa Ibom State and was the contractor which built the Ex-Governor's palatial mansion in Ukana, Essien Udim Local Government Area of the State.

"Why do you think one of the first money he signed out was 16bn, the contract had always been his own since Obong Nsima Ekere's time.

"While he was pushing other contractors to get back to site with their hard earned personal money and threatening everyone with Forensic Audit, he signed a whooping N16bn to his appendage"

"He said he saved NDDC from N300m a year rent
How many N300m are in 16bn"

He further queried the cost of completing the Building saying, "It is sad that he is bent on misleading the president on that building"

Our source equally said it was wrong for him to say no Minister or MD has touched the building since 1996.

You think those former Chairman and MD that attended the ceremony went there to play?

"They all may have been embarrassed to hear the minister speak like that because there is no MD that hasnt put in a little effort into that building"

Asked why the building remained uncompleted till now, he said it is because of NDDC's Financial Policy and which the presidency itself approved.

The policy came out of the head to stop contractors from abandoning contracts.

So, the policy to work and get paid came into the policy. That is why the project was to the level it was.

But only Nsima Ekere cancelled the former contract and awarded a fresh one to the Rodnab and paid.

"It is sad that the Minister can fool the president on this", the source added.

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