NDDC hands former head office building to Rivers government

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), now fully settled in its 13-storey headquarters complex on Eastern Bypass area of Port Harcourt, has handed over the keys to its former headquarters building, ‘Harold Dappa Biriye House’, on Aba Road, Port Harcourt, to the Rivers State government, concluding the phased movement of the commission to its new office complex at its new location.

The former headquarters building housed the federal government quango, with a two decade history of gross financial and contract graft, where it paid an annual rental fee of N200 million plus several unbudgeted payments.

The commission had paid out at least N38.4 billion as rents on the property for the 16 years it used the 8-storey building.

At its new headquarters, the commission spent in excess of N16 billion to complete the structure, after about 20 years of construction.

Presenting the keys of the building to the secretary to the Rivers State government, Tammy Danagogo, the NDDC interim administrator, Efiong Akwa, thanked the state for accommodating the commission for the past 16 years.

According to Ibitoye Abosede, director of corporate affairs, the NDDC chief executive officer said they were leaving the building peacefully and are grateful to Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, for the assistance his administration gave the commission, especially in the last two years.

Akwa thanked the state government for providing a conducive environment for the NDDC to perform its functions as a development agency.

He noted the construction of the Eastern Bypass road by the state government, linking the new headquarters of the commission, as another evidence of Governor Wike’s goodwill. “In this regard, we have decided to partner with the government,” he said.

The NDDC boss told the SSG that the commission was leaving behind four lifts, a giant water tank and pumps, as well as fire-fighting equipment. He assured him that the commission would continue to secure the property until the government assembles its own security team for the building.

Danagogo, the Rivers SSG, commended the NDDC for cooperating with the state government and ensuring a friendly and peaceful handover of the property. He expressed appreciation that the interim administrator came personally to hand over the keys.

Danagogo stated that Rivers State had always given support to federal government agencies in the state, especially under the administration of Governor Wike. He assured that the government would continue to support the NDDC to ensure it succeeds with delivering on its mandate for the development of the Niger Delta region.