The Acting Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, said on Friday that the commission owed 8,000 contractors handling various projects in the oil rich region.
Semenitari spoke while taking a delegation of the Centre for Strategic International Studies, Washington, the United States, on an inspection tour to the construction site of a 233-bed Niger Delta Specialist Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Semenitari explained that first level checks on the number of contractors the NDDC owed showed that the commission was indebted to them to the tune of between N300bn and N400bn.
She, however, pointed out that the NDDC would only pay contractors who were ready to return to site and show commitment towards completing some of the projects at stipulated time.
“We owe about 8,000 contractors and who gets paid depends on who is willing to show commitment,” Semenitari said.
Semenitari said the commission was interested in partnerships that would turn around the fortunes of the people of the oil rich region.
The NDDC boss added, “If we don’t get the Niger Delta right, there would be problem for every other person in the country. It is not a matter of arrogance but there is so much wealth buried in the belly of the region.
“The world cannot ignore the Gulf of Guinea and if that is so, then no one can ignore Niger Delta. NDDC cannot do it alone; we need the cooperation of all stakeholders to move the region forward.
“We are not looking for hand-outs, but we need partners to collaborate with us for sustainable development of the Niger Delta region.
“We have rolled up our sleeves and everybody is ready to work. We are back from the holidays now and we are fully back to work.”
Earlier, the leader of the CSIS delegation, Jennifer Cooke, said the centre had a policy focusing on political, economic and development issues.
Cooke pointed out that the body was keen on supporting the NDDC in its development programmes by bringing in its expertise to speed up the development of Niger Delta.
