The Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere has stated that the Federal Government and some oil companies were yet to remit the sum of ₦1.5 trillion due to the commission.

Ekere made the revelation on Tuesday in Abuja when he appeared before the House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee investigating the total outstanding sum due to the NDDC between 2000 and 2018.

The NNDC boss said although the 15 percent of the federal government’s contribution to the NDDC between 2000 and January 2018 amounted to ₦1.9 trillion, only ₦615.086 billion has so far been paid into the fund, leaving an outstanding of ₦1.3 trillion.

Ekere further disclosed that when the outstanding debt is added to the outstanding ₦45 billion Ecological Fund, the Federal Government’s total indebtedness to the Commission would add up to ₦1.4 trillion.

On the oil companies, Ekere revealed that between 2001 and 2018, the companies were only able to remit ₦407.9 billion, leaving an outstanding balance of ₦108.3 billion yet to be paid.

“Since the inception of NDDC in 2000 till date, we have noticed major shortfall in what the federal government and oil companies, operating in the region are supposed to have paid to the NDDC fund, but have not done so.

“This revenue shortfall is affecting our performance in terms of paying contractors and embarking on new projects,” Ekere said.

While frowning at the non-payment of the debts due to the Commission by the federal government and oil companies, Chairman of the ad-hoc panel, Ahmed Chanchangi stressed that the House would no longer condone such practices.

Chanchangi said: “These allegations of non-remittances and underpayments, whether by government or private corporations, cannot be treated with levity any longer. We cannot stand aloof while the entire region remains deprived as a result of clear non-compliance with existing laws.”

Earlier, while declaring the investigative hearing open, the Speaker of the House, Yakubu Dogara said the hearing was to enable the House ascertain if funds accruing to the NDDC were properly utilized in compliance with the provisions of the extant law.

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“The House is determined to verify these allegations with a view to getting all the facts to enable us make necessary resolutions that will change the trend of things in the region,” he said.