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How NDDC spent N1.5bn as COVID-19 pallatives on staff – Senate investigative hearing reveals

The Acting Managing Director and CEO of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei has claimed that the commission spent N1.5 billion as palliatives for its staff during COVID-19.
This NDDC expenditure forms part of the N3.14 billion was set aside as total expenditure for COVID-19 intervention.

Prof. Pondei made the claim on Thursday, July 9, during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta.

In May, Senator George Sekibo (PDP, Rivers) had accused the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC of reckless spending to the tune of N40 billion.

This resulted in a back and forth among the members of the Commission, the Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs and Federal Lawmakers.

Asked for an explanation of the money allocated for COVID-19 intervention, Pondei said N5 million was given to youths, N5 billion to women, and PLWDs in each senatorial district and N1.5 billion for themselves.

He said: “They were for the youths of Niger Delta. It was to cushion the effect of the pandemic. Youths were idle and to avoid violence, there were paid as palliative.

“We also took care of ourselves, paid staff, and gave them more money to take care of themselves.”

On the further breakdown of monies given to staff, one person got N10 million, two people got N7million, N5 million to three people, 148 people took N3 million, 157 people got N1.5million, 497 people got N1 million and
464 people for N600,000.

He further stated that N475 million was given to the police for facemasks and hand sanitizers

A member of the committee, Chukwuka Utazi requested the reason for such distribution.

Pondei said the request was made from the high command of Police and that management took a look at it and approved it.

“We work in partnership. Without them we are in trouble”, he said.

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