There is tension in the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) over an alleged forceful retirement of some top officials, which was approved by the Interim Management Committee, THE WITNESS reports.
This is coming amidst growing graft allegations by the Interim Management Committee of the commission.
THE WITNESS gathered that those affected included directors, deputy directors and assistant directors who have about two more years left in service or may have been indicted in alleged corruption practice or had held “sensitive positions.”
“The one that is raising concern at the commission is that most or all the directors, deputy directors and assistant directors who are due for retirement in about two years have been asked to leave while others handed compulsory leave,” an impeccable source told our correspondent.
The commission’s director, corporate affairs, Charles Obi Odili, could not be reached for reaction but a director who confirmed the development told our correspondent that though he had yet to receive a letter to that effect, he got a telephone call yesterday (Tuesday) intimating him with the development.
The director who spoke on the condition of anonymity, however, expressed shock over the development even as he noted that claims reportedly put forward by the IMC that the massive purge was part of the forensic audit was untenable. “If they are serious about the forensic, why this mass sack of persons who could assist them with information?” the affected director queried.
Recall, THE WITNESS reported that barring any last minute changes, President Muhammadu Buhari, will dissolve the IMC of the Commission.
The move follows multiple cases of alleged fraud by the interim committee managing the commission.
Sources at the Presidency, however, informed THE WITNESS that a former commissioner for Agriculture in Delta State and governorship hopeful ahead of the 2023 election, Mr. Bradus Angozie, has been penciled down as the acting managing director of the commission.
According to sources, “the Presidency was displeased with the myriad of allegations of fraud daily emanating from the dealings of the commission.”
It was also gathered that the incumbent IMC operated due to the impetus of the late chief of staff, Mr. Abba Kyari, but would however be dissolved, as the First Lady, Aisha Buhari, was also in the fight for the soul of the commission