Former Delta Lawmaker Oharisi Refutes Allegations Regarding NDDC Budget, Contracts

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By Sunday Apah

Hon. Prince Eric Oharisi, the former member of the Delta State House of Assembly who represented Ughelli North Constituency II, has publicly distanced himself from recent allegations concerning a budget and contract reported by various groups pertaining to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The organizations—Network Against Corruption and Trafficking, led by Chairman Oliver Samson, and the Anti-Corruption & Integrity Forum, chaired by Comrade Prince Kpokpogri—had published claims involving Hon. Oharisi’s name as a signatory to documents related to the NDDC.

The report, titled “NDDC Anti-People Dissecting the Samuel Ogbuku 2024 Leaked Budget,” accused the NDDC management, under Samuel Ogbuku, of inflating the budgets for executed projects and including irrelevant projects for funding, with plans to hold a press briefing on the matter.

In response to these allegations, Hon. Oharisi clarified that he has never signed any correspondence addressed to the President, the Senate President, or the Senate Committee Chairman on the Budget regarding the NDDC.

He expressed confusion over why his name was included in a discussion about which he has no knowledge.

Oharisi emphasized that he has never participated in any discussions or signed any documents concerning the operations, budget, or contracts of the NDDC, stating, “I was never involved in any planned World Press Briefing pertaining to these matters.

“Therefore, I unequivocally dissociate myself from any narratives related to budget or contract allocations under Samuel Ogbuku’s administration at the NDDC.”