The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has dismissed reports circulating in the media claiming that the palliatives meant for some critical groups in Cross River State were not fairly distributed.

?Nothing can be farther from the truth as Niger Deltans in the nine mandate states of the NDDC, including Cross River State, received the palliatives with joy and gratitude,? the Commission said in a statement issued on Thursday, January 30, 2025, by the Director, Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama.

The statement clarified as follows: ?NDDC distributed palliatives, not money, as alleged in the story circulating in the media and the list of beneficiaries was duly approved by the NDDC Board.

?The Board and Management of the NDDC is now more than ever determined to uphold its mantra, which is: ?Making a Difference,? in the lives of the people of the Niger Delta region.

We urge public members to disregard the false stories spread by mischief-makers to derail the various innovations introduced by the NDDC Board and Management, led by the Chairman, Mr. Chiedu Ebie and the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku.

?We are fully aware of the increasing need to be seen as more accountable to the public and to conduct our affairs more transparently.

?Responding to this reality, we engaged KPMG, a reputable global business consultancy, to review and strengthen our corporate governance system and improve our internal processes and institutional protocols. They have helped us establish a new institutional culture anchored on sound ethics and good corporate governance.

?We are committed to working with all our stakeholders to drive the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. To achieve this goal, we are collaborating with development partners, including the state governments in the Niger Delta region, ?to build a region that is socially stable, economically prosperous, ecologically regenerative and politically peaceful?.?

NDDC assured stakeholders and members of the public that the Board and Management will not be distracted in its resolve to do things differently and make a difference in the Niger Delta region.