Oghenetejiri Nyerhovwo, Warri
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) is not owing contract security workers salary in Delta State and Rivers State.
This was disclosed by Mr Pius Ughakpoteni, Director, Corporate Affairs, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in a statement made available to Daily Independent in Warri, he said that this is contrary to the allegations making the rounds in the media space that the Commission is owing them.
The Director said that it was no longer fashionable for the Commission to owe salaries as alleged.
Mr. Ughakpoteni said that to set the records straight, the NDDC engaged security companies who in turn hired security guards to work in the Commission’s various offices to safeguard facilities.
Accordng to him, “these service providers are certainly not being owed for six months as alleged in the media reports.The security companies for Delta and Rivers States offices mentioned in the reports have been paid till July, 2023.as at August 22, 2023.”
The Director, Corporate Affairs of the Commission added, “there is no basis for them to owe their workers arrears of salaries
especially as the contract they signed with NDDC has a clause.
The clause states that they must have the capacity to pay their staff for at least two months in the event of any delay from the Commission.”
Mr. Ughakpoteni called on the security workers to disregard the media publication assuring them that the money earmarked for the payment of their salaries was not diverted to do other businesses in the Commission.
He said that the Commission had adopted a zero-tolerance policy for corrupt practices and urged members of the public with any evidence of such practices to reach the Commission for prompt action.
Mr. Ughakpoteni spoke further, “the threat to protest at the NDDC offices is no longer tenable, as genuine stakeholders in the Niger Delta region have embraced peaceful engagements since the emergence of the Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management team.”
He noted, “it is noteworthy that within a very short period of time, the Management team has laid the foundation for the rapid economic development of the region. It has also put in place an enduring and sustainable governance structure for the effective operations of the Commission.”
Mr. Ughakpoyeni said, “we re-state that entrenching the tenets of accountability and transparency in our activities forms part of the thrust of the new Management.”
Mr. Ughakpoyeni then assured that the NDDC Management would not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the region.
