I never said 60% of NDDC contracts are awarded to Lawmakers – Akpabio

Consequent upon the 48-hours ultimatum given by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila to the minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio to name the lawmakers who benefitted from contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Minister has responded denying ever making the statement.

Akpabio had said that the only time he made mention of lawmakers collecting contracts from NDDC was in response to a question by a member of the committee probing the NDDC.

Gbajabiamila said the minister claimed to have been referring to old contracts awarded by the NDDC, which had not been paid for and some of which are part of the lawmakers constituency projects.

He further said, he would refer the Minister’s letter to the ethics and privileges Committee for further advice on the next line of action, while also not ruling out all legal options.

Akpabio, had at the recent house of Representatives public hearing stated in clear terms that 60% of contracts emanating from the NDDC are awarded to Lawmakers.