Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has the alarm over fraudulent contracts and forgery of its website.
The interventionist agency raised the alarm in a release by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ibitoye Abosede, Ph. D.
It stated that the scam is a communication between fraudsters and a US-based company, indicating that a ‘Contract Award Committee’ within the Commission is processing tenders for jobs.
The Commission declared that, there is no ‘Contract Award Committee’ in the Commission and disclaimed all associated communication.
It further stated that any contracts from such a ‘Contract Award Committee’ are fake and did not originate from the Commission or any of its officials (past or present).
“The attention of the NDDC has been drawn to the activities of fraudsters dangling fake contracts and forging the official website of the Commission.
“The latest scam circulating online is another communication between fraudsters and a US-based company purporting to indicate that a ‘Contract Award Committee’ within the Commission is processing tenders for jobs.
“The letter has the name of the former chairman of the Governing Board as the Chairman of this Committee.
“As part of the plot to make the scam look authentic, the fraudster(s) also sent another communication to the company, advising them to contact Mr. Charles Ogunmola, the Project Director.
“It is important to state that Ogunmola is actually the Executive Director (Projects). But he is not a party to this communication, neither does the phone number provided by the fraudster(s), +234 903 495 8638, belong to him.
“We wish to state that the documents (and its contents) are fake and did not originate from the Commission or any of its officials (past or present).
“For the avoidance of doubt, there is no ‘Contract Award Committee’ in the Commission. We hereby totally disclaim the letter and all associated communication.
“We wish to state for the benefit of all concerned that contract awards in NDDC follow due process stipulated by the Procurement Act.
“At the end of that process, the successful bidder is issued an award letter signed by the Director of Procurement.
“That award letter is on a security paper, has a serial number and a QR code. Contract award letters do not come from any other official,” NDDC stated in the release.
The Commission therefore urged anyone in receipt of any purported letter of contract award to cross-check same with the Procurement Department of the Commission.
“We also warn the public to beware of fraudsters who will stop at nothing to dupe others,” NDDC stated in the release.
The Commission also stated that it has noticed the existence of a fake website that is impersonating the official NDDC website and scamming Nigerians and foreigners.
It issued a disclaimer, warning the public about the fraudulent website, nddcprojectsandsupplies.org, and its owners and activities.
“The fake website is not in any way associated with the NDDC.
“The fake website claims to be the official portal of the NDDC and offers various services and opportunities to the public, such as project registration, contract award, supply of goods and equipment, and payment of funds.
“The website also displays some logos and images that are similar to those of the NDDC and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
“However, these are all false and misleading, as the NDDC does not solicit or accept any form of payment from the public for its projects or programmes,” it added.
The Commission urged the public to be guided and be careful not to fall prey to the scams and schemes of the website or any other impostors claiming to represent NDDC.
“Anyone who deals with such persons or entities does so at their own risk and peril. The NDDC will not be liable for any loss or damage arising from such transactions.
“The NDDC advises the public to report any suspicious or fraudulent activities to the appropriate authorities for necessary action,” it added.
The Commission made public its official website www.nddc.gov.ng, noting that it has a secured connection and a verified domain name.
“The public can access the official website to get accurate and reliable information about the NDDC’s vision, mission, objectives, projects, programmes, achievements, and challenges.
“The public can also contact the NDDC through its official email address (info@nddc.gov.ng), and social media platforms.
“We are confident that the security agencies will catch up with the fraudsters, who are hellbent on denting the name of the Commission and the country because of their greed,” it added.
