Contractors urge FG, IOCs to release NDDC funds

The Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association has called on the federal government and International Oil Companies (IOCs) to as a matter of urgency release all the pending funds owed the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The National President of the group, Chief Dressman Darlington Gbolobofa, in a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said it had become expedient for all the pending funds to be released to enable the management pilot the affairs of the commission smoothly.

He commended the decision of NDDC to pay contractors starting with small tickets, which he said constituted about 60 per cent of the commission’s debt to contractors.

He also commended President Ahmed Tinubu on the bold policy decisions he has taken so far which include the removal of fuel subsidy, unification of exchange rates, appointment of service chiefs, dissolution of governing boards of federal government parastatals, among others.

He said, “We wish to use this medium to call on the IOCs, IGCs and the federal government to promptly release funds to the NDDC for its smooth running. We are glad to note that the rancour, distrust and animosity that characterized the relationship between the NDDC and its vendors/contractors have become a thing of the past as a result of the effective administrative style of Dr Ogbuku and his team.”