NDDC headquarters shutdown over death Executive Director Finance of suspected Covid-19

Prof. Kemebradikumo Pondei
Acting Managing Director, Interim Management Committee, IMC.

… Unconfirmed sources say some NDDC staff already developing Covid 19 symptoms

…Staff to go 14 days compulsory self-isolation

By Ibrahim Bakare

Panic has gripped residents of Port Harcourt amidst the controversies of the surrounding the news of the death of the Acting. Executive Director, Finance and Administration in NDDC, Hon. Ibanga Etang, suspected to be due to Covid-19, the Corporate headquarters of Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has been shutdown.

The late Ibanga Etang, Executive Director Finance and Administration, NDDC.

In an internal memo directed to Directors, Heads of Departments/Units and all staff with reference: NDDC/HQ/HAHR/3 made available to our Correspondent in Port Harcourt was issued a few hours after the death of Ibanga Etang, was signed by Silas Anyanwu said:” I am directed to inform all staff management has approved that the Commission be shutdown for two weeks from today, 28th May 2020.

Copy of Internal memo shutting down NDDC headquarters Management over Covid 19, asking staff to go for 14 days self-isolation

“Consequently, all activities in the Commission, including ongoing matter are hereby shutdown for time being.

“Members of staff are to ensure that all Electrical appliances in their offices are switched off before leaving the premises.

“The head of security is by this memo directed to work out modalities to ensure to the safety and security of the Commission, while the Director Administration is requested to fumigate the entire offices and premises in the headquarters during the period.

“Meanwhile, staff are enjoined to go into self-isolation for two weeks as they await further directive management.”

Closely related to death of Executive Director Finance and Administration of NDDC, is the shocking news of the death of Chairman of Asari Toru LGA, Rivers State, Chief Odiari Princewill Christopher.

Unconfirmed sources at NDDC, say that more than four persons are currently battling with shortness of breath and cough, all symptoms of the Coronavirus disease. These persons we gathered went to seek medical help from the Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, owned by the State Government but were asked to go home without any advise on how to get treated.

The late Chairman of Asari Toru LGA, Rivers State, Chief Odiari Princewill Christopher

The Late Odiari was be buried at Port Harcourt Cemetery, today is not yet confirmed as sources say he had a heart attack the previous night and was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, UPTH, where died.

The shutting down of NDDC, headquarters housing hundreds of staff and rebounding effect of Covid-19 in the city of Port Harcourt and the entire Niger Delta is already a cause for concern because contact tracing will be challenging because staff are drawn from within the Nine NDDC states and witnesses huge turnout of visitors on daily basis.