NDDC received $142m from Shell Nigeria, partners in 2023 - ITREALMS

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A total of $142.5 million was paid to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) last year by The Shell Petroleum Development of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) and Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo). SPDC paid $112.5 million while SNEPCo remitted $30 million compared to $59.04 million by SPDC and $20.73 by SNEPCo in 2022.

The contributions came from the Shell companies on behalf of themselves and their respective partners –. Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC); TotalEnergies, EP Nigeria Limited; NAOC; and Esso Exploration and Production Nigeria Limited – as statutory contributions to the interventionist agency.

NDDC, NLNG sign pact to maximise impact of development in Niger-Delta - ITREALMS

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage shared aspirations and collaborate on diverse fronts in the delivery of sustainable development projects in the region.

At a brief signing ceremony at NLNG’s Corporate Head Office, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Dr Philip Mshelbila, and NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, signed the MoU in the presence of executives from both organisations. 

Confab’22: Delta, Lagos, NIMASA, Chevron, NDDC, Access Bank, Unity Bank, Glo join GOCOP partners

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The momentum has continued to rise for the sixth annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) as more corporate partners have lent their support for the event scheduled for Thursday, October 6 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja-Lagos.

The chairman, 2022 Conference Committee, Mr. Ken Ugbechie revealed on Monday that the latest partners comprised Delta State and Lagos State, in addition to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Chevron Nigeria Limited, and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

NDDC Board tenure elongation: Group alleges Abba Kyari, Malami collected $500m

ITREALMS:

A coalition of pressure groups under the aegis of Eastern Niger Delta Coalition (ENDC), has alleged that the controversial board tenure elongation at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was facilitated by the Presidency after the sum of $500 million was paid, reports ITRealms.

The group said the key actors in the elongation saga who received the largesse on behalf of the cabals at the Presidency included the Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abaubakar Malami (SAN).

The coalition in a petition to President Muhammadu Buhari dated November 9 2017, entitled: "Protest against the purported extension of the tenure of the present Chairman and Managing Director of NDDC) Board", said the so-called extension was not only morally wrong, but also does not stand on any legal high ground.

The group therefore gave the present leadership of the NDDC board December 5 deadline within which it should be terminated, saying "a stitch in time saves nine."

The petition which was signed by Alali Bokutengo; Miebaka Harrison Nsan Ebirien and Cordelia Etuk-Udo, was obtained by ITRealms in Abuja, reads: "Sir, may we use this medium to register our protest against the purported elongation of the tenure of Senator Victor Ndoma-Egbe (Chairman) and Obong Nsima Ekere (Managing Director) of the NDDC. To say the least, this attempt is criminal, offensive, satanic and an anathema to the peace and development in the Niger Delta region as well as the harmonious co-existence of all the ethnic nationalities spread across in the 9 (nine) oil producing states.

"The so-called extension is not only morally wrong, it does not also stand on any legal high ground. It is insinuated that the said elongation coup was originated through a legal memo by the AGF, Abubakar Malami (SAN). This whole exercise is offensive and contrary to the extant/explicit provisions of the relevant sections of the NDDC Act.

"Our finding reveal that the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and AGF, Abubakar Malami, have collected $500 million as bribe from the current board of the NDDC to elongate their tenure. We are therefore calling on President Muhammdu Buhari to intervene and do the right thing because millions of dollars have been exchanged between the Chief of Staff and some other persons in the Presidency to ensure that this current board's tenure is extended thereby truncating the rotational arrangement according to Section 4 of the NDDC Act, which provided for the rotation of chairmanship of the board as between “member states”.

The coalition said it had seen a hurriedly released letter signed by the Permanent Secretary, in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dayo Apata denying any tenure elongation for the present governing board, saying the denial was wrong.

The ENDC said, "Sir, please this fraud should not be allowed to stay a day longer because of the consequences it would bequeath on the region.

The peaceful co-existence among tribes and ethnic nationalities would be shaken to its foundation and rather replaced by mistrust and mutual suspicion- an invitation to breakdown of law and order.

"At this point may we humbly ask: Is this elongation plan a kudos to Senator Victor Ndoma Egba and Nsima Ekere for their effective implementation of the Niger Delta Regional Development Master plan? Is it on grounds of high prudent financial management? Is it on their competence or what?

"We actually thought Nsima Ekere should be explaining to the anti-corruption agencies how he renovated just the MD’s office at a whooping N400 million. Or how the present board spent over N65 million on emergency repairs without adherence to the Procurement Act.

"This present board of the NDDC is the most inept, corrupt, divisive, slow and uninspiring. No wonder the board is popularly referred to as “10% board”.

We posit therefore that the present leadership of the NDDC be terminated not later than the 15th day of December, 2017. A stitch in time saves nine."

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Dickson warns NDDC, stop servicing political interest

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson on Tuesday in Yenagoa warned the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) against being used as platform for servicing political interest, reports ITRealms.

Dickson gave this warning while welcoming the acting Managing Director of NDDC, Mrs Ibim Semenitari and leaders of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), during a courtesy visit, saying the commission should serve the interest of the Niger Delta people, with available resources channeled on projects that could affect the development and prosperity of the region.

He also suggested that the NDDC should collaborate with state governments in the region to execute priority projects that would serve as a catalyst for the socio-economic development.

The Governor, who identified the three senatorial road projects in the state as key to creating access to the Atlantic Ocean and economic prosperity, stressed that the construction of such projects worth billions of naira would attract development and socio-economic progress to the state.

According to him, the road from Nembe to Brass alone, for instance, would gulp about N100 billion, "Bayelsa economy will remain stifled if there is no access to the sea where its wealth lies.”

He commended the NDDC for the award of contracts in Bayelsa State, but however, decried the number of abandoned projects in the state, which he attributed the development to the over-politicization of the activities of the commission.

“The NDDC should move away from the era of using the commission as a conduit to service the vested political interest, but rather NDDC should serve the interest of the Niger Delta people and channel available resources on projects that can affect the development and prosperity of the region,” Dickson said.

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Pix: Gov. Dickson

Niger Delta: 33 finalists emerge @ GEMS 2016

ITRealms:

About 33 finalists have emerged in the 2016 Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) programme being organized by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), reports ITRealms.

The Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari made this disclosure at a ceremony in Port Harcourt.

She also said that the 33 finalists all emerged from SSS1 and SSS2, who are beginning to see the practicality of science, even at that young age, and it becomes a foundation upon which they and other children of the Niger Delta, as well as the schools in the region, will build collective future.

The school that produces the first prize winner, she said, will get a chemistry laboratory, while the second and third schools will get a physics and biology laboratory, respectively.

“We are also going to reward the girls with prizes, such as laptops,” she said.

Further, she said, these finalists were selected from a rigorous elimination process that began with 2880 girls from the nine NDDC mandate states.

“From this first screening test 1110 girls were selected. From the 1110, 270 were selected at 30 girls per state. They progressed to the state finals, where 11 girls qualified from each state, leading to the regional finals, where 11 girls were selected from each of the three regions. Of the 33 who will participate in the grand finale, 10 would be selected for recognition, while the top five will receive awards, prizes and scholarships,” she said.

In initiating GEMS, she said, they are igniting a spark within these young, remarkable women, as well as in society, which we expect to build into a fire that will lead to great things.

“It is good for our society, and good for the Niger Delta region. It is good for our collective future,” shd said, and  called on other well-meaning organisations across the Niger Delta, especially oil and gas companies, to partner with NDDC on the GEMS programme, so that it becomes a worthy and engaging incubator for breeding young ladies who will grow up to conquer the world in various STEM-related careers. 

Gender ICT/GEE 

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GEMS committed to bridge gender gaps - Ibim Semenitari

ITRealms:

The Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari has said that by the creation of  the Girls in Engineering, Mathematics and Science (GEMS) programme, that the initiative is committed to bridge gender gaps, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the hosting of the finalists of GEMS in Port Harcourt, Semenitari said that  the programme was borne out of the desire as well as social commitment and responsibility to bridge the gaps that exist in gender related issues.

"We encounter in our earnest effort to facilitate the sustainable development of the Niger Delta region. Of great importance is the science and technology areas, which are very vital in ensuring that our people begin to play a more definitive role in the oil and gas sector, which predominate activities in the Niger Delta," she said

According to the NDDC boss, the mission of GEMS s to promote innovative, research and standards-based practices, which will encourage students with interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics to thrive in the 21st century global economy.

She also said that the programme hopes to leverage on its extensive network of expertise, partnerships, resources and experience by providing Niger Delta girls who have shown remarkable brilliance in these areas the needed platform to excel and grow as scientists.

NDDC, she said, believes that science and technology could become exciting again, for our young ones.

“GEMS presents a healthy competition that helps our girls interpret science in such a way that we can use science, in a glamorous way, to do every day things, and resolve every day challenges,” she submitted.

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Pix: Mrs. Ibim Semenitari

MAAC alleges plans by Rivers govt to slander NDDC’ MD

ITRealms:

The Media Advocacy for Anti-Corruption (MAAC) said it has unearthed plans by the Rivers State Government to slander the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, reports ITRealms.

A press statement endorsed by the MAAC national coordinator, Mr. James Okoronkwo, the state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Dr. Austin Tam-George, was alleged to have compiled fictitious memos and doctored receipts to push out to mainly online and print media concerning Semenitari’s period as commissioner under the administration of Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, the current Minister of Transport.

“The plan, being coordinated by the state Commissioner of Information and Communications, Dr Austin Tam-George, is to cast her as corrupt and unfit in order to sway public opinions against the NDDC’s boss and hopefully, compel President Muhammadu Buhari from confirming her as substantive MD and as well send the anti-corruption agencies against her,” he said.

Source at the ministry of information, MAAC quoted said that “the Rivers government is desperate to taint her, given her impeccable character and time as commissioner. They are of the opinion that if they can sufficiently rubbish her, President Buhari will be forced not to appoint her as the substantive MD of the NDDC. They have also targeted her to be the first point of attack after Governor Wike's victory at the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

“My brother, don’t be surprised if you see statements from the PDP Rivers state chapter claiming that the Acting MD of the NDDC sponsored the APC matter at the tribunal through award of fictitious contracts as well as alleging that she appointed 23 aides from Rivers state alone.

“The end product is to pitch the other NDDC states against her and ensure that her tenure is characterised by crisis and mistrust.”

The group further alleged that besides these malicious allegations, the Rivers PDP and commissioner of information have engaged the services of hack writers and columnists to dish out jaundiced articles and opinions against the NDDC especially her efforts to reposition the interventionist commission.

“These people are not resting about madam (Semenitari). They have hired people to demonstrate every week at the NDDC headquarters in Port Harcourt claiming to be community leaders whose communities have been marginalised since she assumed office.

“The wicked one is their plans to release photoshop pictures of her allegedly in compromising situations with men, even women,” the source disclosed.

The group recalled that in early January, Tam-George had alleged that Semenitari obtained a loan of N1billion as commissioner, a charge that was rebuffed given that no ministry by law under the former administration was allowed to take loans.

“The state commissioner when presented with the fact could not substantiate his fact further,” they said.

The group, therefore, called on the public to be wary of this sinister plan by the Rivers government against the NDDC boss, advising them to take note of those to hold responsible for any incidence that may befall Semenitari.

 
Nenye Egbuna/GEE 
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APC alleges bribing of Rivers REC by PDP

PR@ITRealms:

The Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has alleged the bribery of the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) by Niger Delta Development Coommission (NDDC) to rig the forthcoming general elections in favour of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reports ITRealms.

 

APC in a statement made available to ITRealms issued Wednesday in Port Harcourt alleged that NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Dr. Henry Ogiri, has been directed by President Jonathan to work closely with Rivers REC, Mrs. Gesila Khan, to ensure that Jonathan wins on March 28 while Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Chief Nyesome Wike, wins on April 11.   

 

“Acting according to the script, Dr Ogiri has purchased a brand new Prado Jeep for Mrs. Gesila Khan and the Jeep is currently parked at the village of Mrs. Khan in Ogbia, Bayelsa State. In addition, Dr Ogiri has set aside a whopping sum of $100 million to be deposited into the account of Mrs. Khan before the week runs off,” Rivers APC Chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said.

 

According to Ikanya in the statement, “To perfect the plans of winning Rivers State at all costs, Mrs. Khan, who is from President Jonathan’s village and his very close relation, was deliberately posted to Rivers recently to ensure that PDP wins the State despite having been overwhelmingly rejected by our people. For INEC to post President Jonathan’s kinswoman to supervise the elections in Rivers State, which he has personally confessed neglecting deliberately in his six years in office, simply betrays the Presidency’s desperation to rig the elections as PDP can never win any free and fair polls in Rivers State.”

 

Ikanya said that the strategy of compromising INEC to pave the way for the use of the allegedly missing 14,000 PVCs and PDP’s cloned cards was coming after PDP failed to wear down Rivers APC through the killing and detaining of several of its members.

 

“We will like the security organs to investigate this woman and retrieve this car and expose Dr Ogiri for what he is. This is a man who has failed to pay NDDC staff for months and has also failed to pay contractors for services rendered to the commission, while funds are reserved for use in rigging the 2015 elections for PDP,” Ikanya said.

 

He also appealed to INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, “who means well for this country with all his innovative ideas designed to stop rigging in our electoral system, to closely monitor the activities of the Rivers REC before she rubbishes all that the electoral umpire has perfected to conduct a free and fair election in the country.”

 

Rivers APC urged President Jonathan and Chief Wike to play the game according to the rules and stop overheating the polity by adopting untoward ploys through their desperation to “capture” Rivers at all cost. “PDP has pocketed the Police in the State who are ready to do her bidding by arresting the APC leaders indiscriminately. To attempt to buy over the INEC simply demonstrates that Rivers State will be in total mess if Chief Wike succeeds in his bid to capture Rivers instead of allowing the people of Rivers State to elect their Governor and leaders in the March 28^th and April 11 gubernatorial election,” APC said.

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