Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
A pro-democracy and environmental rights advocacy group, Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development, FENRAD, has commended the Federal Government for ordering the cancellation of all contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, from 2000 to December 31, 2019, for which the beneficiary contractors are yet to mobilize to site.
FENRAD in a release jointly signed by its Executive Director/Abia State Co-ordinator, NDDC Advocacy Groups, Comrade Nnanna Nwafor; and Head, Corporate Accountability and Human Rights Enforcement, Mr Akande Femisi, a lawyer, demanded probe of the affected contracts and prosecution of any contractor found culpable.
The group also advocated compensation for the people who would have been beneficiaries of the projects “but have been made to suffer immeasurably” as a result of the deplorable state of the affected projects.
It further urged the Federal Government, to re-award the contracts to competent contractors with proven antecedents and capacity to deliver.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read in part:”This is commendable and a piece of refreshing news to the people of the Niger Delta Region who have long yearned for governmental intervention. The failure of contractors to properly execute projects awarded to them from the year 2000 to 2019 has destroyed lives, hopes, and bright futures, stunted the economy of the regions, and caused all forms of youth restiveness in the region. This would have been avoided if due processes were followed.
“However, our concerns go beyond cancellation and refund. We demand that the Federal Government and the NDDC initiate an Investigation as to why the said contractors abandoned these projects, prosecution, incarceration where necessary, and the re-awarding of those contracts to reputable contractors who can further execute the contracts for the benefit of the people of Niger Delta.
“Abia State NDDC Advocacy Group also demands justice for those who may have been agonized and left in pain as a result of abandoned projects in the region. Those who could have received treatment in the proposed hospital these contractors failed to execute could be dead now, and children who should have gained quality education in the school projects they failed to carry out may have seen their future truncated today.
“We demand that a public hearing should be held where these contractors are present to explain the reasons for project abandonment. This hearing should include the Civil Society Groups operating in all the Niger Delta States, community leaders, and other critical stakeholders in the Niger Delta so that no stone will be left unturned in bringing those contractors to book.
“For the lingering forensic Audit Reports on the Failed NDDC Project. We are calling on the Presidency to make the Report public for claims and objections on the side of the contract awarded and to also identify the contractors who might be involved in the fraudulent activities in the NDDC. We also demand the publishing of the canceled contract for public scrutiny.
“This would address the injustice, impunity, and corruption going on in the NDDC and the years of neglect of the Niger Delta Region and serve as a deterrent to other corrupt contractors and public officials.”
