Senator Godswill Akpabio denied allegation of sexual harassment against him by Joy Nunieh - NDDC

 

Senator Godswill Akpabio

Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has denied that Mrs. Joy Nunieh, former Managing Director of the Interim Management Committee, IMC, Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, alleged sexual harassment against him.

He described the allegations as "the wind of change" fighting back corruption from those who resist. Speaking yesterday at a press conference in Abuja, the minister was asked to respond to Dr Nunieh's allegation of sexual harassment.

Akpabio said, "As a Federal Republic minister I can't speak about people. I'm more concerned about what this Nigerian administration can deliver and how to ensure that NDDC delivers its mandate to the region.

"All the rumbles you hear are due to the change that is coming; the people will have a say for the first time on how their funds are being used.

"All the rumbles you hear are due to the change that is coming; the people will have a say for the first time on how their funds are being used.

"Change is coming and they have to be ready for it. N18 billion for schools has been inserted into the NDDC budget, yet they have no school to run.

"I have only given out two contracts since I became a minister. The first was for NDDC's forensic audit, and the other for COVID-19 intervention in the region's states.

"NDDC assists states in establishing two test centres. We also financially assisted the governors in setting up isolation centres.

“The story of the Niger Delta will change. The forensic audit will throw up who has money to refund, which still has job to do.

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“And even now, over 70 contractors have gone back to work. All the participating forensic audit firms are registered with the Auditor General of the Federation.

“With a mere mention of forensic audit, over 70 roads have been completed in the Niger Delta. The forensic audit is meant to block leakages in the system.

“On the first day of the forensic audit, 8,000 documents were given to them. Some who collected money in 2004, 2006, are now coming back to do the work. Nunieh had during the week said that she is the first and only woman to have slapped Senator Akpabio.

Mrs Nunieh said this when she appeared on Monday's Arise TV to address Akpabio's allegations against her.

Remember that while reacting to Nunieh's previous allegations against him, Akpabio said that the former NDDC MD has a character problem.