Senator Godswill Akpabio (left) and Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has given the Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio only 48 hours to name the members of the National Assembly who got Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) contracts.
Akpabio had yesterday accused members of the House of being the biggest beneficiaries of majority of all the contracts that emanate from the NDDC – massive allegation that the lawmakers are taking very seriously. The House threatened to initiate legal battle against the minister if he does not provide these names within the stipulated period. Akpabio and members of the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC appeared before a committee over alleged misappropriation of funds in the commission.
The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, told the minister that failure to publish the names would bring the full wrath of the law on the minister. He said: “I’ve never once collected contracts from the NDDC, and I know I can speak for many other members. I hereby call on the minister to within 24-48 hours to publish the names, contracts, date and unveil the companies of the 60 per cent projects that were given to the National Assembly.
“The Minister owes it to himself, the committee, Niger delta and the people of Nigeria to publish details of those who have been given contracts,” Gbajabiamila stated.
