Removing NDDC from TSA Will Improve Project Execution – Contractors

The Niger Delta Indigenous Contractors Association (NDICA) has urged President Bola Tinubu to exclude the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to enhance the speedy execution of projects in the region.

The contractors also threatened legal action against International Oil Companies (IOCs) operating in the Niger Delta for allegedly refusing to remit their mandatory three per cent contributions to the NDDC, a trend that has persisted for over five years. This failure, they argue, has significantly slowed down project implementation crucial for the Niger Delta’s development.

Dressman Darlinton, President of NDICA, emphasized in a statement issued in Port Harcourt the urgent need for President Tinubu to ensure that IOCs fulfil their financial obligations to the commission. “It is through their leadership that the Niger Delta has seen positive developments and progress within the region. While we reflect on the outcomes of the summit, it is evident that there is still much work to be done to address the challenges facing the Niger Delta region,” he stated.

Darlinton continued, “In this regard, we call on Mr. President to consider exempting the NDDC from the Treasury Single Account system. Such an exemption would enable the NDDC to operate more efficiently and effectively, thereby enhancing its performance and impact on the region.”

Kelvin Gigi, another stakeholder in the association, echoed these sentiments and urged the IOCs to remit their ecological fund contributions to the NDDC promptly. “As a concerned association, we will not hesitate to institute legal action against the IOCs if, at the end of August this year, they refuse to remit their dues to the commission. It is very clear that contractors are being owed by the commission because of the inability of the oil majors to pay their dues to the commission,” Gigi stated.

In related news, during a graduation ceremony in the United Kingdom, NDDC Managing Director Dr. Samuel Ogbuku highlighted the importance of celebrating academic excellence and its role in fostering regional development.