NEWSCross River Deputy Governor inaugurates panel to probe NDDC project disruptionPublished on June 18, 2025By Asare Asare

Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, has charged a five-member Commission of Inquiry to summon the leadership of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the representative of Cross River on the board of NDDC, and other stakeholders to answer questions about the funding of projects in the state.

Odey gave the charge when he inaugurated the commission in his office yesterday.

On June 13, 2025, there were reported disruptions of the commissioning of NDDC projects in Calabar, the state capital, over allegations that NDDC came to commission projects funded by the state government.


Orok Duke, the state representative at NDDC, and Commissioner for Works, Pius Edet, vehemently refuted NDDC claims, asking them to come with documents.

In swift reaction, the governor composed the five-man commission.

The deputy governor said, “The five-member panel is expected to summon key stakeholders, including NDDC officials, security agencies, event organizers, and eyewitnesses, to provide detailed accounts of what transpired.”

Inaugurating the Commission of Inquiry, Odey directed them to investigate the disruption of the NDDC event in Calabar.

Odey expressed deep concern over the disruption and stressed the importance of uncovering the truth behind the incident.

He emphasized that the state government would not tolerate any acts of violence or misconduct that could undermine public events and disrupt development efforts in the South-South region and Cross River State in particular.

“This commission has been mandated to thoroughly investigate the immediate and remote causes of the disruption that occurred during the commissioning of some projects by the NDDC.

“You are to determine whether the projects commissioned by the NDDC were in fact awarded and executed by the NDDC, and not by the Government of Cross River State.

“Identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate measures to prevent future occurrences,” Odey stated.

The deputy governor assured the public that the inquiry will be conducted without bias and that its findings will be made public within weeks.

He urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding while the investigation is ongoing, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and order in Cross River State.

Speaking on behalf of the commission, the Chairman, Honourable Justice Emilia Ibok, thanked the governor for the trust reposed in them and promised that they would do their best to deliver.


https://dailypost.ng/2025/06/18/cross-river-deputy-governor-inaugurates-panel-to-probe-nddc-project-disruption/