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General News of Wednesday, 15 July 2020

Source: www.mynigeria.com

Akpabio speaks on sexual harassment allegation by Joy Nunieh

Akpabio and Nunieh Akpabio and Nunieh

The Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, has reacted to a sexual harassment allegation levelled against him by Joy Nunieh, a former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Nunieh who spoke in an interview with Arise TV said, “I am the only woman in Nigeria to have slapped Akpabio.

“He [Akpabio] wanted me to take a blood oath of secrecy in Abuja.

“My meetings with Akpabio were either in Apo or Meridian, those are his meeting points…so I slapped him… I am accusing Akpabio of sexual harassment.”

Akpabio has now described the attack from Nunieh, which was made amid a probe into the misappropriation of NDDC funds, as corruption fighting back.

When asked at a press conference in Abuja to speak on the sexual harassment allegation, Akpabio said, “As a minister of the Federal Republic, I can’t talk about individuals.

“I’m more concerned about what this administration can deliver to Nigerians and how to make sure NDDC delivers its mandate to the region.

“All the rumbles you are hearing are because of the change that is coming; for the first time, the people will have a say on how their funds are used.

“Change is coming and they should be prepared for it. N18 billion was inserted into the NDDC budget for schools, yet, they have no school to run.

“Since I became a minister, I have only given out two contracts. The first, was for the forensic audit of NDDC and the other for COVID-19 intervention to states in the region.

“NDDC is assisting states to set up two testing centres. We also assisted the governors financially to set up isolation centres.

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

“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.”