Controversy Surrounds Alleged  €56.2m NDDC Contract

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding the award of a £56.2 million contract to an Italian firm, Caradonna Group Sri. The NDDC’s denial follows the emergence of a letter dated June 1, 2023, purportedly issued by the office of the NDDC sole administrator, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, indicating the award of the contract to the said company.

The letter, addressed to Caradonna Group Sri, states, “This is to notify Caradonna Group Sri that the undersigned Contract Award Committee of NDDC has today, being June 1, 2023, endorsed and confirmed the award of the contract Ref. No/NDDC/01921-Rp/NG-017/23-24 for the supply of 125,000 Lingoffo Stampando LED to NDDC in favor of your company Caradonna Group Sri.”

However, the NDDC has discredited the document.

The director of corporate affairs at the NDDC, Dr Ibitoye Abosade,  categorically stated that the document is fake and does not originate from the NDDC or its sole administrator. Similarly, the special assistant on media to the NDDC sole administrator, Willie Etim, affirmed that the document in question is fraudulent and does not bear the official letterhead of the NDDC.

The NDDC has taken a firm stance in disassociating itself from the alleged contract award and has emphasized that the circulating document is a fabrication.

However, further investigation is underway to determine the origins and intentions behind the letter.