TheCable

Olubumi Tunji-Ojo, a member of the house of representatives from Ondo state, says the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) needs to be rescued over allegations of fraud at the commission.

Tunji-Ojo, who chairs the house committee on NDDC, said the green chamber is determined to reposition the commission for better performance despite antics from “inconsequential groups.”

The lawmaker, who said this via a statement on Sunday, was reacting to allegations that he was awarded a road contract by the NDDC.

He described the allegation as baseless and challenged anyone with evidence to bring it forward.

“I am the Chairman of the House Committee on NDDC in the House of Representatives and I say without equivocation that I do not have any contract whatsoever at the commission,” Tunji-Ojo said.

“I am aware of the responsibility bestowed upon me by the virtue of my chairmanship of this all important committee and as a result, have kept my integrity and ability to perform my functions with good conscience without soiling my hands.

“As an indigene of one of the Niger Delta states, a region that has been deprived of significant development over the years partly because NDDC which should have been the driver of developments in the region has been given to petty politics.

“I dare say the time has come for us to embrace change for the sake of the people in the region who are subjected to untold hardship partly due to our actions and inaction.

“We are on the same page with Mr President; the NDDC deserves to be rescued and re-positioned; I am on the good side of history to partake in this worthy course, it is a responsibility and this exactly I will do.”

He said the NDDC committee would be “thorough and unbiased” in investigating the alleged N40 billion fraud at the commission, adding: “The National Assembly has not condemned anyone, the more reason our committee was mandated to investigate.”