The chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Olanipekun Olukoyede, has expressed satisfaction that two newly commissioned projects by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) were funded using money recovered from corrupt practices and returned to the agency.
The projects are the NDDC Renewed Hope Multipurpose Training Centre and Internally Displaced Persons Camp at Otupkpoti in Ogbia local government area and the NDDC Bayelsa State Office in Yenagoa.
He expressed satisfaction over the judicious utilisation of the funds, promising further release of more funds recovered for the interventionist agency.
He said, “By virtue of the recoveries we made from NDDC, some of these projects were made possible. What I have seen for the past two has actually convinced me. So we will come next week for another set for another recovery we have done.
“On behalf of the entire Nigerians who believe in accountability, transparency and judicious use of our resources, I will like to commission this project, the Melford Okilo House, to the Glory of God and the benefit of mankind and the staff and people of NDDC and Bayelsa State.”
Minister of Regional Development, Engineer Abubakar Momoh who commended the Bayelsa State government for its continued support to federal agencies such as the NDDC, enjoined other states to emulate such partnership for rapid development.
Managing director and chief executive officer of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said that the ultra modern state office of the commission was named after the first civilian governor of the old Rivers State, the late Senator Melford Okilo, who was among those that played a critical role in the establishment of the agency.
In a remark, the Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, called on all political and public office holders to unite to attract development to states, stressing the need for states to work with the federal government and international partners to solve environmental challenges such as perennial flooding, erosion and pollution.
