The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has said it does not sponsor political parties or candidates contesting elections at any level of government.
The federal government agency denied purported stories circulating in some sections of the media that claimed the commission is diverting funds intended for contractors to finance the Edo APC governorship campaign.
While describing the news as false, the NDDC stated that the said stories are mere rumours with an unverifiable source.
The clarification was made by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, via a statement made available to Mangrovepen.ng on Monday.
Thompson-Wakama, in the statement, maintained that the commission’s mandate is to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
She assured that NDDC is now more than ever committed to making a difference in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region, in line with its slogan.
The NDDC director therefore urged members of the public to disregard “the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations” under its current leadership.
“We are fully aware of an increasing need to be seen to be more accountable to the public and to conduct our affairs in a more transparent manner.
“Responding to this reality, we engaged the KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system, as well as improve our internal processes and institutional protocols. They have helped us to establish a new institutional culture, anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.
“As part of this control mechanism, we recently held a meeting with members of the NDDC Advisory Committee, comprising governors of the nine Niger Delta states, statutorily empowered to advise and monitor the activities of the Commission,” Thompson-Wakama stated.
The statement further assured of NDDC’s commitment to liaise with stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
“To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful,” she added.
The NDDC spokeswoman assured stakeholders and the general public that the commission’s board and management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the oil-rich region.
