NDDC pays backlog of scholarship arrears worth $5.9m
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has finally paid-up the scholarship arrears for some 197 scholars totalling $5.9m.
Gentechnews gathered the amount was paid for a batch of 197 scholars, with 12 PhDs, while payment for about 94 scholars is being processed.
It will be recalled that the story of the overseas protest of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) scholars, had been subject of the news, in the month of July, 2020, during the public hearing on NDDC at the National Assembly.
It was also gathered that the Prof. Pondei-led management of the NDDC and the Minister for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio had disclosed that the sudden upward surge in the total cost the scholarship was worrisome and no payment will be made, under his watch, without scrutiny of the list, to ascertain the authenticity of the names therein.
“This decision was taken after the NDDC has gone to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), intent on making a payment of $5m (Five million Dollars) to clear the backlog of the scholarship, only to realize that the bill had risen to $7m (Seven Million Dollars)
Accordingly, the NDDC management informed the Minister, who promptly ordered a stay of action, pending the thorough vetting of the list,” source close to NDDC said.
“It may take a while, but Niger Deltans, nay; Nigerians will come to appreciate what it means when prudence meets probity, in the management of public funds, as exemplified by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Godswill Akpabio, and his handling of the NDDC imbroglio so far,” the source added.
