Reps committee summons NDDC MD over abandoned shoreline protection project

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to appear in person before it on Tuesday, 11 March, to explain the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the contract for the construction of the Okpai shoreline protection and landing jetty in Delta State.

The directive follows a petition submitted by Lynpat Solicitors against Orbit Marine and Energy Services Ltd for allegedly abandoning the project.

In a related development, the Committee has also summoned the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Dauda, to appear before it to explain why a certain property development, said to be objectionable, has been allowed to continue despite clear violations of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) building codes.

The Director of Development Control, Galadima Muktar, has also been summoned to appear alongside the Executive Secretary on Tuesday.

Issuing the directives on Wednesday, Committee Chairman, Mark Etaba (PDP, Akwa Ibom), stressed the importance of the NDDC’s Managing Director appearing in person, warning that further actions would be taken if he failed to do so, as he had done previously.

“NDDC holds the key to this case, and the MD must come in person to clear the air. If he fails, as he had done before, we will take further actions against them,” Etaba stated.

Regarding the FCDA case, the Committee Chair emphasised the need for urgent resolution, directing both the Executive Secretary of the FCDA and the Director of Development Control to present their explanations.

“At this point, it is a complaint until we establish the facts therein. Every Nigerian’s voice must be heard, while all public officers must be held accountable. We shall ensure fair hearing for all parties,” he added.

The summons follows a petition to the House by Samuel Ajayi, a private citizen, urging swift action to halt the development of a controversial property. Ajayi claims that allowing the construction to continue would undermine the careful planning that went into the development of the FCT.

The disputed property is reportedly located in the Gusape Cadastral Zone.