Reps give Akpabio 48 hrs to name members who got NDDC contracts

The House of Representatives has asked Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to publish, within 48 hours, members of the 9th National Assembly who got sixty percent of contracts from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The minister had alleged during Monday’s investigative hearing held to probe the allegations of corruption in the NDDC that 60 percent of the contracts of the commission were given out to members of the National Assembly.

But ruling on a matter of privileges brought by Minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu on Tuesday, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the Minister should publish the benefiting lawmakers, especially members of the 9th Assembly.

He further said the names of their companies and the contracts they got should be published or face the wrath of the House.

Although he said his initial reaction was to have a good laugh when the Minister made the allegations, he realised it infringes on the integrity of the House.

He said the Minister owes it a duty to himself, the House Committee on Niger Delta, the people of Niger Delta and Nigerians to publish the names of lawmakers who got contracts from the NDDC.