News
Niger Delta: New Contractors Executives Pledge An End To Unpaid Executed Contracts
By Ebi Imisi
The recently inaugurated Board of the Contractors Association of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has pledged to put an end to unpaid executed contracts insisting that the wrong status quo of unpaid contracts executed in the oil-rich region has come to an end.
In a Communique issued in Port Harcourt, Rivers State after a meeting which ushered in a new leadership, the body of contractors urged President Muhammadu Buhari, Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio and the NDDC under the leadership of Effiong Akwa to mobilize payments for contracts executed by its members in the region.
It lamented that the NDDC under the purview of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs has failed to heed to its plights despite several letters, complaints and engagements.
Jointly issued by its President, Comrade Sylvester Tonye iyade and Secretary, Comrade John ibigbame noted that the Niger Delta Affairs boss has failed to heed to the sufferings of NDDC Contractors but under its leadership all this will change.
“The Association noted with regret that after donkey years of completely executing contracts and a certificate of completion given, the management of the Commission under the supervision of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs led by His Excellency, Senator Godswill Akpabio has failed and or neglected to heed to the sufferings of NDDC Contractors despite several letters, complaints and engagements.
“The Association further noted with great dismay that many contractors who executed one form of project or the other with the Commission took loans to enable them to fulfil their contractual obligations on the awarded contract. Interestingly, some of these projects were completed as far back as 10 years ago. However, due to the continuous refusal of the Commission to pay our members, most of them have died as a result of indebtedness, ill-health and hopelessness; whereas the Commission daily lavishes funds on parochial and less important issues.
“The Association wishes to emphasise firmly without mincing words, that we will no longer allow the leadership of the Commission and the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs to further expose our members to untold hardship, ill-health and death as doing so would be tantamount to stepping on the graves of our demised members,”
It added that “as mandated by the Association, the leadership of Comrade Sylvester will not sit idly and watch our members die and wallow in indebtedness over the indiscretions , manipulations and schemings of the leadership of the Commission and the Ministry for their own selfish gains”.
The contractors further resolved to “explore all legal options available to us to see that all our contractors are paid. We wish to therefore use this medium to intimate all relevant government agencies and security agencies to take notice as we shall not fail to exercise our constitutionally guaranteed rights in this regard”.
While drawing the attention of President Buhari to the plight of NDDC contractors who have suffered for years to contribute their quota towards the development of the Niger Delta region without honour, the contractors regretted that its members have remained in poverty and servitude.
“We hope that our demands shall be given the swiftest consideration it deserves as our patience has been pushed to the brink,” the statement added.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to maintain the status quo in a dispute over the party’s candidates emerging from the Benue State APC primaries for the 2027 general election.
The order was made on Thursday by Justice Inyang Ekwo during proceedings in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1429/2026, filed by Engr. Sesugh Akaagba and other aggrieved APC candidates from Benue State against the APC and INEC.
The plaintiffs had, through an ex parte motion filed on July 5, 2026, sought six interim reliefs, including an order restraining the APC from substituting its validly nominated candidates in Benue State through its June 29, 2026 correspondence, or any subsequent communication, to INEC, pending determination of the substantive suit.
They also sought an order compelling the APC to immediately transmit to INEC the names of candidates validly nominated during the primaries monitored by the electoral commission.
When the matter first came up on July 8, 2026, the court declined to grant the interim application immediately, directing both APC and INEC to appear and respond before any decision was taken. The matter was adjourned to July 16.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel representing the APC and INEC were present in court, while the plaintiffs were represented by Mohammed Ndarani, SAN, alongside his legal team.
In his ruling, Justice Ekwo held that since issues had been joined by the parties particularly with INEC now before the court, the defendants were required by law to preserve the subject matter of the litigation pending determination of the substantive suit.
When counsel to the plaintiffs urged the court to caution APC and INEC against taking any further action that could affect the disputed list of candidates, the judge responded that it was “not a matter of advice but of law,” stressing that the defendants were bound to maintain the status quo.
The court consequently restrained APC and INEC from taking any action capable of altering the disputed list of candidates pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The defendants did not object to the restraining order.
At the commencement of proceedings, the court noted that all parties had voluntarily submitted to its jurisdiction by duly filing and exchanging their respective processes.
It held that there was no procedural or jurisdictional impediment to the expeditious determination of the substantive action, and directed that the matter be heard without further delay.
In furtherance of the objective of preserving the res and safeguarding the efficacy of the judicial process, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and final determination of the substantive suit, restraining any act or omission capable of prejudicing the rights of the parties or rendering the proceedings nugatory.
The court further directed that INEC be served forthwith with the originating and all consequential processes.
The effect of the subsisting order is that INEC is restrained from tampering with the existing list of candidates pending final determination of the suit, and from receiving, recognising, or acting upon any purported substituted list of National Assembly candidates from Benue State submitted by the APC.
The matter was adjourned to July 21, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and former First Lady Patience Ibifaka Jonathan recently celebrated a significant family milestone as they attended the graduation ceremony of their son, Ariara Goodluck Jonathan, at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
The proud parents joined family members and well-wishers to witness Ariara receive his degree, marking the successful completion of his academic programme. The occasion was filled with joy as the Jonathan family commemorated the achievement, highlighting the importance they place on education and personal development.
The graduation ceremony attracted warm congratulatory messages from friends, associates, and admirers, who wished the graduate continued success in his future endeavours.
The Following names joined the political family of Sen. Dr. George Akume today after leaving the sinking Alia ship .
Under the leadership of Barr. Emmanuel Jime .
The are ;
Chief Nelson Alapa
Douglas pepe SAN senatorial Aspirant zone A,
Engr Peter Ashiekaa
QS Clement Beetseh
Former commissioners
Joy Luga
Ann itodo
Barr martins Shaagee
Miss Dorcas
Prof Usar Joseh
Prof Cephas Tushima
Chief Patrick Idoko
Hon Patience Akor
Hon Fred Idoko
Hon Lawrence Ekpo Onoja Jnr
Hon Andrew Abah
Hon Agbo Innocent Ikwumonu
Hon Simon Omachoko
Hon David Egboja
Dr John Garba
Among together,
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