Kemebradikumo Pondei, acting managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), has said claims that he was acting when he fainted during a session of the House of Representatives committee probing the commission, was spurious.
The MD had on July 20 collapsed while answering questions from the panel probing alleged mismanagement of N40 billion by the interim management committee of the NDDC.
Many had on social media, alleged that Pondei pretended so as to avoid being held accountable.
For instance, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had said Pondei fainted because of the weight of corruption under the current administration.
However, in an interview with a newspaper recently, he denied that he was acting saying that he does not run away from issues.
According to him, “I had an unexplained, unexpected health challenge. It is ridiculous to think that people believed I was acting. I would not pray for anyone to experience what I went through. I do not run from issues. I have put all that behind me.”
He also described the allegations against the commission as “laughable”.
“From N40 billion missing, the probes now became extra-budgetary spending. After accusing the EIMC of embezzlement of N40 billion, nothing was substantiated. The IMC is then asked to refund monies paid for historical debts owed contractors, service providers and allowances paid to staff,” he said.
Pondei admitted that there is lack of checks and balances in the regional commission, adding that “NDDC was a place for political patronage and raising war chests for elections.
“I am not part of any cartel. Instead, I have tried to eliminate this by reducing interaction between staff and contractors. Gratification had been going on as a routine procedure. Nepotism in processing of files and payments also exist. Before all these distractions, the EIMC was working seriously on this issue of people being asked to pay percentages to staff.
“In between the probes by the NASS, we tried to present the 2019 budget performance and defend the 2020 budget. A minor typographical error was noticed and we asked for 10 minutes to amend the errors, but the presentation was stepped down. The NASS has since gone on recess.”