I’m Totally Unaware Of NDDC’s Alleged Indebtedness – Prof. Nelson Brambaifa

Prof. Nelson Brambaifa, the Acting Manager of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), expressed shock at the event that unfolded yesterday, as men who claimed to be agents and working by the instructions of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS) sealed off the Harrold Dappa-Biriye House along the popular Aba road in Port Harcourt, which currently serves as the temporary Headquarters of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

It was alleged that the sealing was as a result of debts owed the Rivers State Government by the NDDC which previous administrations failed to offset, a debt that is claimed to be around millions of Nigeria.

Brambaifa expressed his dissatisfaction with the incidence which was rather unfortunate, more so at a time the present Management has vowed and taking responsible steps to clear all legitimate debts owed by the Commission. The MD/CEO reassured that his administration has just begun the payment of contractors most of whom have being owed over Eight (8) years. The Commission under his stewardship has also commenced the payment of benefits to beneficiaries of the various empowerment programs of the Commission. What one would have expected of the RIRS was to make official requests/reminder to the Commission via approved channels, and not to obstruct the workings of the Commission in this crude pattern.

However, Brambaifa in an effort to finding amicable solution to the issue has swing into action by directing for the immediate resolution of the pending issues, and to verify the claims as put out by agents of the RIRS, meanwhile the Acting MD/CEO has promised to do everything within his power and the resources of the Commission to clear all its indebtedness to every legitimate creditor, so long as it can be proven that such rash actions are neither politically motivated, nor done with a malicious intent or even to blackmail.

In the meantime, Brambaifa urge all Niger Deltans to continue to keep faith with him and the Commission to deliver on its mandate, while urging staff of the Commission to remain undeterred by the rather ugly incident, as he urge them to continue do their duties assigned to them by the Commission.