CSO Seeks Discontinuance Of NDDC Fund Payment To Anti-graft Agency

A group, Act for Positive Transformation Initiatives (APTI) has called for the discontinuance of payment of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)’s three per cent total annual budget of the oil-producing companies operating onshore and offshore in the Niger Delta to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).

Responding to the allegation, EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “We
will respond when NDDC admits the cash is with us.”

Kolawole Johnson, Head, Directorate of Research, Strategy and Programmes
(APTI), who said this at a press conference in Abuja said, “Since 2020, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has taken over, albeit illegally the role of collecting three per cent of the total annual budget of oil-
producing companies (The major revenue source for the NDDC) on behalf
of the NDDC without remitting the same to the Commission.”

This, he said, was done without any legal justification and in flagrant disregard of the NDDC Establishment Act, 2000.

“By this act, the EFCC ambushed the provision of section 14(2) (b) of the NDDC Act, diverting and siphoning funds assigned, allotted and due to the NDDC. Note: oil companies are the largest contributor to the NDDC’s revenue,” Johnson said.

The group demanded an, “Immediate discontinuance of demand for the 3% of the total annual budget of the oil- producing companies operating onshore and offshore in the Niger Delta, including the gas-producing companies.

“The refund by the EFCC to the NDDC, immediately without illegal deductions of commission or charges whatsoever, within seven (7) days of all the 3% of the total annual budget of the oil-producing companies operating onshore and offshore in the Niger-Delta states including the gas producing companies that have been taken by the EFCC on behalf of the NDDC since 2020.”