Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has expressed surprise at the number of projects allegedly undertaken by the Niger Delta Development Commission in State questioning the authenticity of the projects.

Comrade Oshiomhole expressed his doubts yesterday when the state representative on the Board of the NDDC, Mr. Donald Omorodion led other management members on a courtesy visit to Government House.

According to the governor, “I was bit shocked when you mentioned of projects that the NDDC has allegedly done. I think it is more of an allegation because I’ve been here now for close to one and a half years and I have travelled round the state. I have not seen the evidence of NDDC in most parts of the state especially in those areas where NDDC presence is supposed to be felt.”

The governor who also faulted the quality of some of the NDDC projects said “even where I have seen the NDDC-assisted projects, even the quality of those projects leaves much to be desired. I invite you to open up investigation to revisit and see for yourself instead of relying on paper documentation to ensure that the projects have been done, and if not, I urge you to investigate and bring those responsible to justice.

“ Edo State government believes that the resources of NDDC are resources that are entrusted as an intervention agency on behalf of the people of the Niger Delta. The people are entitled to have value for their money.

“You have an enormous task to refocus the NDDC office in Benin City . I feel strongly about it and believing that I nominated you, believing that you are sufficiently concerned about the underdevelopment of the state and are as hungry as the rest of us that Edo State must move and the resources available must be judiciously employed to the benefit of our people.”

The governor commended the President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan and the Senate for the confirmation of the state representative.

The state representative on the NDDC Board, Mr. Omorodion had earlier commended the state governor for nominating him and averred that the commission had awarded 250 projects in the state with 101 of those projects already completed.