NDDC Finally Clears Air on Calabar Projects, rebukes Cross River government’s claims 

NDDC Finally Clears Air on Calabar Projects, rebukes Cross River government’s claims

 

 

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has firmly dismissed recent allegations by officials of the Cross River State government, accusing the agency of hijacking state-funded projects in Calabar.

 

The Commission has described the claims as politically motivated and intentionally misleading.

 

Speaking on Wednesday during the inauguration of several NDDC-executed projects in Bayelsa State, Chairman of the Governing Board, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, expressed disappointment over what he termed a “deliberate campaign of misinformation” aimed at undermining the Commission’s work in the Niger Delta.

 

Ebie condemned what he called “barefaced lies” designed to cast the NDDC in a negative light for political gain. “It is unfortunate that despite the hard work and commitment that went into these projects—both from the contractors and our own staff—some individuals have chosen to spin false narratives just to score cheap political points,” he said.

 

The controversy erupted after NDDC officials commissioned road projects and a new state office in Calabar South Local Government Area and Calabar Municipality last week. The events were reportedly disrupted by individuals allegedly linked to the Cross River State government, who claimed the projects belonged to the state, not the Commission.

 

Addressing the uproar, Ebie stressed that all due processes were strictly followed in executing the projects. “The law is clear: the Chairman and Managing Director of the Commission sign off on all contracts only after the procurement process is completed, award letters are issued, and engineering bills are finalized,” he said.

 

“How can anyone say there was no award letter or procurement process? Did the contractors just appear on-site and start work without authorization?” he questioned, adding, “This is a new NDDC, and we are focused on real development, not political drama.”

 

Ebie urged political actors to exclude the Commission from their disputes and distractions. “We are committed to the socio-infrastructural development of the Niger Delta. Our time and resources will not be wasted on petty political squabbles,” he stated.

 

The NDDC’s response comes amid growing scrutiny over the role of federal agencies in state-level development, especially in politically sensitive regions. While tensions between federal and state entities are not uncommon, the Commission has reiterated its mandate to serve the broader interests of the Niger Delta, beyond political affiliations.