Godswill Akpabio
August 19, 2021
Senator Godswill Akpabio says oil firms operating in the Niger Delta have defaulted in their statutory remittances to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to the tune of $4 billion.
Akpabio, who is the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, said this on Thursday at the weekly ministerial briefing held in the State House, Abuja.
Channels television reports that he noted that oil firms operating in the area are expected to provide three percent of their annual budgets to the commission, but none has complied with this.
Akpabio stressed that the Ministry of Niger Delta will take a keen interest in the implementation of the three percent Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) compensation to host communities.
He explained that he is not interested in the percentage (which according to him can be managed) but in the disbursement process.
While Akpabio was confident that no Niger Delta indigene would need to agitate over the disbursement procedure, he raised concerns over the need to properly define host communities.
The Minister also promised that he will intensify sensitization campaigns through the Niger Delta Ministry on the matter.
The former Akwa Ibom governor also stated that the NDDC owes contractors three ₦3 trillion. He, however, explained that not all awarded contracts with costs can be regarded as debt.
On the progress made so far in the Commission, the Niger Delta minister disclosed that about 109 projects – which would be commissioned soon – have been implemented in the South-South.
The minister revealed that ₦10 billion – out of the allocated fund – has been dedicated to fix the East-West Road.
