- Dismisses Akpabio’s Claims
From Joseph Obukata (The New Diplomat’s N’Delta Correspondent)
Immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan on Monday dismissed claims by embattled Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio that he was among those awarded various contracts by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Akpabio had linked Uduaghan and James Ibori, also a former governor of Delta to some NDDC contracts in a letter he wrote to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila.
Also, reports alleged that Uduaghan was linked to an NDDC contract for the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429m.
Read also: NDDC Probe: Manager, Nwaoboshi, Many Others Move Against Akpabio
Reacting to the allegations coming from Akpabio, Uduaghan through his Media Assistant, Monoyo Edon, said it was ridiculous that the said contract supposedly awarded to him is a road inside Port Harcourt town.
He described the report as false, while asking the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs to take back the claim which has since been widely circulated in the media space.
The statement reads: “The attention of His Excellency, former Gov of Delta State Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has been drawn to a publication by The Punch Newspapers of Monday 3rd August 2020, which states that the “Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has linked two former governors of Delta State, Messrs James Ibori and Emmanuel Uduaghan, to the various contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission”.
Read also: NDDC Probe: Akpabio Pressured Me To Take ‘Oath Of Secrecy’ – Ex-IMC MD, Nunieh [Video]
In the said publication, it was stated that “Uduaghan was linked to the emergency repairs of Close B, Alhaji Estate & Environs, Rumuodomaya, Port Harcourt at a cost of N429m.”
“We want to state very clearly that the said accusation is FALSE. Dr. Uduaghan has never approached the NDDC for any contract whatsoever. It is even more ridiculous that the said contract is a road inside Port Harcourt town.
“Dr. Uduaghan has drawn the attention of the Hon. Minister of the Niger Delta, Sen Godswill Akpabio to the publication and hopes he makes a correction.
“Members of the public are advised to disregard the mischevious publication”.
