Duke revealed, “Out of 25 years, in 20 years, we’ve lost 25 trillion naira to sundry contractors.”
By TheInvestigator
A significant development has occurred in the ongoing dispute between the Cross River State Government and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) regarding road projects. Chief Orok Duke, the Commissioner representing Cross River on the NDDC Governing Board, has publicly criticised Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents the southern senatorial district, describing his actions as an affront to Governor Bassey Otu.
During the commissioning of the NDDC Calabar office on Friday—a ceremony commemorating the Commission’s 25th anniversary—the Nyaghasang road, a state government project, was improperly presented as an NDDC project. Additionally, the event was disrupted by the unauthorised renaming of Idang Street to Etinyin Ekpenyong Oniong, after the senator’s uncle.
In defence of the state government, he maintained that “If there is anybody who would question what anybody imagined happened, I should be the one. But I’m only here to reiterate and tell you blatantly that the Nyaghasang project does not belong to the NDDC.”
Duke revealed, “Out of 25 years, in 20 years, we’ve lost 25 trillion naira to sundry contractors.” He further added, “Out of 663 contracts last year, only 92 were commissioned, and none were in Cross River. This year, Cross Riverians are needed for 40 contracts.”
Listen to the 20-minute, 51-second audio: