Local contractors in the Niger Delta region, have alleged that international oil companies (IOCs) operating in the region are indebted to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to the tune of over $800 million.
The contractors include the Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA) and the Association of NDDC Contractors (ANC).
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Addressing a joint press conference in Port Harcourt yesterday, NDICA national president, Chief Dressman Darlington-Gbolobofa, said if the debts would be paid, the NDDC will judiciously use the monies for the benefit of the Niger Delta region.
Darlington-Gbolobofa said: “As contractors, we cannot state categorically how much the IOCs are owing NDDC. But we can tell you put together is over $800 million; from all the international oil companies operating within the region.
“If these monies are paid, it can be used judiciously by the Samuel Ogbuku-led management. We are confident that the debt burden on NDDC will reduce drastically.”
He stated that as a group, genuinely interested in the success of the NDDC and development of the Niger Delta region, they were passing a vote of confidence on the commission’s managing director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.
Darlington-Gbolobofa said, “As indigenous operators and partners in progress, we are genuinely interested in the success of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC);and the development of the Niger Delta region.
“We hereby pass a vote of confidence on Dr. Samuel Ogbuku-led management team of the NDDC and urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the sake of continuity and stability, to consider and confirm their appointment.”