Could this pass as one of the biggest embarrassment just yet? Well, there is an unfolding drama at the senate committee investigating the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, and reports have it that the acting Managing Director of the commission, Professor Pondei has walked out on the National assembly. Professor Pondei is citing that he doesn't believe the commission is getting a fair hearing before the Senate committee investigating it.
Looking at the direction this whole hearing and investigation is going at the moment, it is normal to be sympathetic to Professor Pondei and the commission. At the moment, we are witnessing a clime where there are far fetching distrust and animosity between different arms of Government and different Government agencies as well. Today, it may be the Presidency against the Legislative arm, or the Legislature against the EFCC or Nigerian Police.
Truth be told, sometimes there are elements of truth to these allegations to unfairness and highhandedness levelled by different actors within the Government. Sometimes too, there aren't. Although, the allegations levelled against the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC are quite serious and requires a very honest, fair, and transparent approach in the scheme of things. It would really be sad if this opportunity at reforming the NDDC is sabotaged by intergovernmental rivalries, distrust and bickerings between different parties.
When operating a system that is aimed and promoting justice and equity, personal agendas and private reservations should be thrown out of the window so that there can be a new lease of life that will see the situation handled properly and effectively to address the recurring problems in the commission. Professor Pondei during the hearing was of the opinion that the NDDC will not get a fair hearing from the look of things. Following this action, the committee has resolved that they would issue a warrant of arrest to compel Professor Pondei to appear and make a proper submission before the lawmakers.
According to Professor Pondei as quoted by the News Agency of Nigeria; “We in the NDDC is not comfortable with the Chairman of this committee, presiding over a matter. “He is an accused party, the NDDC has over time accused Rep. Olubumi Tunji-Ojo of different crimes against the NDDC and he has responded in the press.
“He is an interested party and we do not believe that the NDDC can have justice because he cannot seat on his own case. “We have no issue of appearing, we appeared before the Senate ad hoc committee and as long as he remains, we will not make any presentation,” he concluded.
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