Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has given a 48-hour ultimatum to the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, to publish names of lawmakers who were awarded contracts in the Niger Delta Development Commission.
Recall that Akpabio, during an investigative panel, alleged that most of the contracts in the NDDC are received by the lawmakers.
Under the code enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended, it is an offence for public officers to put themselves in a situation where they could have a conflict of interest.
Akpabio, responding to a question from the lawmakers, said the commission should not be closed down because of the forensic audit ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari.
When asked to explain what he meant, he said: ”Just look at your chairman, (Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo), I have records to show that most of the NDDC contracts were given out to the National Assembly members. The two chairmen of both committees can explain to you.
“Who are even the greatest beneficiaries of the contracts? It’s you people at the National Assembly.”
But one of the lawmakers interrupted him saying: “Can I ask you a question? What is the benefit that the National Assembly is benefiting from NDDC?”
The minister responded: “I just told you that we have records to show that most of the contracts in NDDC are given out to members of the National Assembly but you don’t know about it, the two chairmen can explain to you. I was a member of the NDDC committee; so, I know about it.”
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