REVEALING: NDDC CONTRACTORS ABANDON PROJECTS IN IMO COMMUNITIES AFTER PAYMENT

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The People of Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State have lamented non execution of projects awarded by the Federal Government through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to better the lots of the oil bearing communities.

They made their feelings known during a meeting with representatives of a nongovernmental organisation monitoring execution of projects meant to improve the living condition of rural dwellers especially in the NDDC states.

The President General of Izombe Central Union, Mr. Curtis Nwakuche, said he was shocked to learn that contracts were awarded for the construction of health facilities and street lights in his community since 2019, noting that the sites had not been cleared after mobilizing the contractors.

He commended the organization for taking pains to investigate the contracts insisting that the community would petition the NDDC to ensure that the contractors executed the jobs.

A member of Oguta Community, Mr. Gerald Okoronkwo, noted that a school known as Trinity Secondary School located in the area, which was in a dilapidated state, was now being given a face-lift through self help as the people were not aware that contract for the rehabilitation of the school had since been awarded and first tranche of the contract sum allegedly released to a contractor.

He called on the government to monitor those engaged to execute jobs to avoid sharp practices.

A woman leader from the area, Mrs. Magdalene Nnanna, appealed to the government to find ways of intimating community leaders on projects approved for them to enable them to monitor the execution and provide feedback to the government.

The Representative of a nongovernmental organisation “Social Action Nigeria,” which is investigating projects in oil bearing communities, Mr. Chibundu Uchegbu, said they obtained the details of the contracts from the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs as part of efforts to ensure that Nigerians were not shortchanged.

He said the civil service group would partner the benefitting communities to ensure that the projects meant for them were either executed or monies collected were refunded to the government.

According to Mr. Uchegbu, the organisation working with a sister NGO “Better Community Life Initiative,” would approach the courts to ensure that the projects were realized.

Mr. Uchegbu, who listed road construction as part of other projects that were awarded but yet to be executed in the area, said time had come for Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable to ensure that right things were done at all times.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU