By TINA TIMOTHY

Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) and three Niger Delta Advocacy Groups in Abia State have requested for the 2020 Budget of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), ‘in compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act.

A letter addressed to NDDC’s Interim Administrator/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr Effiong Akwa, dated August 9, 2022, and signed by FENRAD’s Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor; Youth Coordinator, Ohuru Youth Grand Alliance (OYGA), Comrade Henry Okebugwu Nwaigwe; Initiative for Women Empowerment & Development (IWED), Assumpta Nwakanma and Society for Economic Rights & Social Justice (SERSJ), Mr Nnamdi Elekwachi, was received by the commission on August 11.

The groups also requested for details of the procurement made during the period, vendors used in the procurement process, details of the bidding process, details of the contractors who executive the projects, details of the executed projects/location of the projects budgeted as well as the process of the disbursement to the contractors.

The letter reads in part: “This request is made in compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act which entitles us the right to request information from Government institutions, individuals and corporate organisations.

“We write on behalf of our organisation (FENRAD) and Niger Delta Advocacy Groups, Abia State, and in compliance with the provision of Section 1 of the FOI Act 2011 and part V, Section 19(b) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

“We are requesting your office to make available to us the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) 2020 Budget and;

“Details of the procurement made during this period, “Vendors used in the procurement process and details of the bidding process, “Details of the contractors who executed the Projects, “Details of the Executed Project/ location of the projects, “Amount Budgeted and the Process of the Disbursement to the contractors.”

NNDC is expected to respond within seven working days as stipulated in the 2011 FOI Act.

“Should you demand further clarification regarding this application, please do not hesitate to contact us at our Email; info.fenradnigeria@gmail.com, fenradnigeria@yahoo.com, Telephone; 08033383708, 07062949232.

“We look forward to receiving your response within the seven (7) Working Days as enshrined in the Freedom of Information Act 2011,” the groups added