The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has issued a statement denouncing a fraudulent contract award letter that has been circulating online. The fake letter falsely claims to be from the desk of the Managing Director of the Commission and notifies an Italian company of a contract worth 56,250,000 Euros. However, the NDDC management has confirmed that the document is entirely fake and that the alleged contract does not exist in their records.
The NDDC has pointed out several discrepancies in the fraudulent letter to expose its illegitimacy. Firstly, they emphasize that genuine contract awards in the NDDC follow a proper procurement process outlined by the Procurement Act. The award letters are signed by the Director of Procurement and are printed on security paper with a serial number and a QR code. They clarify that contract award letters do not come directly from the managing director’s desk.
The fake letter, dated June 1, 2023, claims to have been signed by the managing director and the minister of Niger Delta Affairs. However, the managing director did not sign such a letter, and the signature on the document is not authentic. Additionally, the NDDC points out that Nigeria did not have a Minister of Niger Delta Affairs as of June 1, 2023, as the Federal Executive Council was dissolved before the handover of power on May 29, 2023.
The NDDC reiterates that the fake letter fails to meet the Commission’s branding standards, further affirming its fraudulent nature. They strongly advise all stakeholders and interested parties to verify any contract award letters with the Procurement Department of the Commission. The public is also urged to be cautious of fraudsters who are willing to deceive others for their own gain.
The NDDC has reported this scam to law enforcement agencies to ensure that the individuals responsible for the fraud are held accountable.
